Penn State Football Position Preview 2018: Offensive Line

Once a major question mark for the Nittany Lions, the Penn State offensive line of 2018 may be the most talented unit on the field.

A common refrain heard throughout Beaver Stadium in years past went something like this: If only they could figure out the offensive line…

While the Nittany Lions have improved on o-line each year under James Franklin, this is the first season that Franklin and offensive line coach Matt Limegrover have had depth at each of the front five positions.

Not only do they have depth, but the group is immensely talented, and experienced. The Nittany Lions linemen have combined for 83 career starts, and features strong leadership coupled with highly touted recruits.

Sophomore Michael Menet, the one time best offensive lineman prospect in Pennsylvania, is likely to start the season for the first time, but where is up in the air. He and junior center Connor McGovern have both seen time at center and guard during camp, and a final decision is yet to be made on who will play where. With McGoverns experience and Menet’s pedigree, Franklin can’t go wrong. The one certainty at the other guard is the physical and cerebral Steven Gonzalez.

Ryan Bates, possibly the best player on the line, will play left tackle, while Chasz Wright or Will Fries will get the start at right tackle.

These camp battles and experiments are not to be taken as panic or uncertainty. These are the things that big time college football programs want. So much talent and flexibility that the coaching staff will be comfortable with more than one combination.

C.J. Thorpe, Mike Miranda and Alex Gellerstedt will each be suitable backups, and if need be, replacements on the line.

As incredible as it was to see running back Saquon Barkley evade defenders and dance his way out of tricky situations last season, there were far too many running plays that went for negative yards. With the experience this season, Franklin hopes those plays are few and far between.

The offensive line will be a focal point in Big Ten games when they have to tangle with some of the best defensive lines in the NCAA such as Ohio State and Michigan.

When those “key to the game” pieces begin to come out, there’s no doubt winning the battles in the trenches will be a frequent bullet point.

Throughout this entire offseason, the narrative around State College has focused on what the Nittany Lions have lost.

There is less mention of what they have gained and that is experience. When the line is better able to open holes for Miles Sanders and keep Trace McSorely upright, that experience will show.