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Penn State Football Spring Storyline: Offensive Line

By Barry Leonard Jr.

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Chasz Wright #77, Will Fries #71 and Steven Gonzalez #74 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk the field during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Chasz Wright #77, Will Fries #71 and Steven Gonzalez #74 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk the field during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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What will the Penn State football’s offensive line look like in 2019?

As the spring practice season is in full swing for Penn State football, there are still several storylines to keep an eye on. One biggest topic focuses on the offensive line. There will be some major changes this year, as the departures of Connor McGovern and Ryan Bates to the NFL will leave some huge holes to fill.

This spring will be the first look at Penn State’s new offensive line, and it will be the first chance for the coaching staff to make changes and switch things as they see fit.

One change that was made during the offseason before spring practice began was to once again switch C.J. Thorpe. The 330-pounder came to Happy Valley as an offensive lineman, but then changed to the defensive side to help with depth issues. Now back in his comfort zone, Thorpe should find himself the top contender to start at right guard in 2019.

Also solid in their starting positions are left tackle Will Fries and left guard Steven Gonzalez.

Center will  have the same face, with Michal Menet once again handling the snaps. The departed McGovern was the team’s center in 2017, but moved back to guard with the emergence of Menet last season.

Mike Miranda will get an opportunity to show that he can be a top reserve in the interior of the line. Also expected to be a top reserve is Juice Scruggs, however, head coach James Franklin announced before spring practice that Scruggs would be out during the spring due to injuries sustained in an auto accident.

The biggest question that needs to be addressed this spring will be at right tackle. There isn’t a clear favorite heading into the new year, and the coaching staff will use the spring to start to figure that out. If redshirt freshman Rasheed Walker has a strong spring, he could work himself into the starting role at right tackle.

Although sometimes overlooked, the offensive line is arguably the most important part of a team’s offense. Penn State has certainly struggled over the years to find consistency on the line, but Franklin has made a point to recruit the best available linemen throughout the country.

Next. Penn State Spring Storyline: Special Teams. dark

The way that the offensive line shakes out, particularly during the Blue-White Game, will be something interesting to watch as spring practice progresses.

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