Olu Fashanu was the first Penn State offensive lineman off the board during the 2024 season; Caedan Wallace and Hunter Nourzad heard their names called shortly after.
With three starters from the 2023 team in the NFL, the team will have to prepare for life without some of its key contributors.
In addition to the loss of three starters, the group will have to adjust to the change of offensive coordinator from Mike Yurcich to Andy Kotelnicki.
“(Kotelnicki) came in and his whole mentality was to trust the offensive line,” Vega Ioane said in April. “As a hotline we love hearing that. That motivates us to know that we have left an entire offensive behind us and that we have to move forward.”
Kotelnicki is a former offensive lineman and played three seasons collegiately for Wisconsin-River Falls at the center position.
Just like in his playing days and previous coaching stops, he brings the fire to the field, constantly elevating those around him.
“I would say the energy he (Kotelnicki) brings, he loves to attack, that’s what we need,” Ioane said. “As an offense, that energy we’ve been getting during spring ball, I love it.”
Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki speaks to the media during Peach Bowl Media Day inside Beaver Stadium on Friday, December 15, 2023 in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Chris Eutsler
The revamped position group starts with center Nick Dawkins, who is projected to take the starting job and has already proven to be a leader not only within the offensive line but for the entire team.
“Leaders, you’re called to that role and I feel like my goal since I’ve been here is just to embody the team, to embody our core values,” Dawkins said in April.
The redshirt senior was Nourzad’s backup a season ago, although he appeared in all 13 games on offense and special teams and is a veteran presence for the blue and white.
“Now that I’m older, maybe I have a lot more wisdom than a lot of the younger ones,” Dawkins said. “Being able to talk a lot more, guys lean a little more toward what I say.”
Moving to the outside of the offensive line, two players will need to step up to replace Fashanu and Wallace at left and right tackle.
Replacing the pair won’t be easy, especially Fashanu, one of the most decorated offensive linemen to come out of Happy Valley. He left State College as a consensus All-American his senior season and did not allow a sack in his four years.
Regardless of the huge void that needs to be filled for the pair of now-NFL players, the depth and consistency in the room is a testament to what Trautwein has done over the last few years.
Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Nick Dawkins (53) points to the sky as he kneels with his teammates to prepare for the game against Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in University Park, Pennsylvania. The Nittany Lions beat the Hoosiers 33 -24.
ranger jackson
“The environment has changed since Coach Trautwein has been here and you can tell the relationships are different and the leadership is different,” J’ven Williams said in February. “So I feel like we’ve been prepared for (players leaving for the NFL) while they’ve been here, and we’re trying to carry that to the next generation.”
Williams and Anthony Donkoh are a pair of freshmen who have earned praise during winter and spring camps and can compete for starting tackle spots, and former five-star Nolan Rucci, who transferred from Wisconsin this offseason , could make an effort. Another option is to move JB Nelson from guard to tackle due to his experience playing tackle in high school, and then move Ioane to the other guard spot opposite Sal Wormley.
Regardless of three NFL departures and a new offensive coordinator at the helm, the offensive line should be able to take a cue from last year’s performance in what will be a different lineup in Week 1 against West Virginia.
“The guys that embody our program, and all of us just hang out and enjoy it, those are my guys,” Dawkins said. “They’ll be at my wedding, they’ll be in my life forever and I can’t say enough about the offensive line.”
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