Former Penn State football offensive linemen Olaivavega Ioane and Drew Shelton are already adapting to the NFL at their respective teams, the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys.
While Ioane is used to playing guard, the Ravens have him swapped to the right side at rookie minicamp. As for Shelton, who predominantly played tackle as a Nittany Lion, he's making the switch over to guard.
"It's definitely a little bit of work to get used to again, but there isn't much to it," Ioane said, according to Ryan Mink of Baltimoreravens.com.
This isn't a permanent change for either player, but especially for Ioane, who was the 14th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Baltimore's offensive line has yet to be pieced together, but knowing its first round pick can be versatile on either side at guard is helpful when determining starters and skill sets.
Over his career at Penn State, Ioane logged 284 snaps at right guard as a sophomore and junior, meaning this adjustment isn't something completely unfamiliar to him. However, his 1,349 snaps at left guard over that two season span definitely prove where his comfort lies in the trenches.
"Really a transition time like this where [Ioane]'s coming from college to pro, it's a really good time to make that change if you're moving around," Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said.
Down in Dallas, Shelton's making a bigger shift on the line. The Cowboys 112th overall pick of the draft has little to no experience playing guard over his four-year career as a Nittany Lion. Still, though, whatever his new team needs, Shelton's prepared to get it done.
Dallas' offensive line room includes tackles Nate Thomas, Terence Steeler, Tyler Guyton, and Ajani Cornelius, linemen Tyler Smith and Matt Hennessy, and guards Trevor Keegan and Tyler Booker. The Cowboys also have Cooper Beebe at center.
With a number of tackles on the roster, getting reps in at guard at the start of his career is the perfect scenario for Shelton.
"It will be a new but I'm willing to do it," Shelton said, according to Dallas Cowboys staff writers. "It doesn't matter to me. I'm going to get work at both and we'll see where we take it."
Add us as a preferred source on Google