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Penn State Football: Pair of former Hokies in transfer portal fits for Nittany Lions

By Lawrence Santa Maria

BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Hendon Hooker #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half at Lane Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Hendon Hooker #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half at Lane Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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Offensive lineman Doug Nester #74 of the Virginia Tech Hokies (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

OG – Doug Nester

Penn State football fans who keep up with recruiting will remember Nester as one who got away when he signed with the Hokies in 2019.

Nester had it down to Penn State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and his hometown West Virginia Mountaineers, before ultimately signing with Va. Tech.

Nester was highly touted coming out of high school, a high four star recruit who also participated in the Army All-American bowl. He was the 106th ranked player, the highest ranked prospect of the Hokies 2019 class.

As a true freshman Nester stepped in and played 11 games, starting in 10 of them at right guard for a Hokies squad that went 8-5, losing the Belk Bowl to Kentucky. He earned honorable mention All-Freshman honors per Pro Football Focus. This season the sophomore started all six games at left guard and was awarded ACC offensive linemen of the week honors for his week four performance against Boston College.

The West Virginia native is an intriguing potential option for Penn State football because the offensive line has a lot of questions to answer this offseason. Left tackle Rasheed Walker is a redshirt sophomore who is draft eligible, and would almost certainly be taken in the first few rounds of April’s NFL draft if he decides to leave. Center Michael Menet is a fifth year senior headed for the Reese’s Senior Bowl so it would be no shock if he did not return and entered his name into the draft.

At guard, Will Fries is a fifth year senior who said he will have to speak with the coaching staff to determine his future. Guard Juice Scruggs has been a pleasant surprise coming back from injury, but it is a unit that could certainly make room for a talent like Nester.

The line started to come into it’s own after inserting redshirt freshman Caedan Wallace in at right tackle, but still had some shaky moments this season, as no quarterback was sacked more in the Big Ten then Penn State football’s Sean Clifford.

A team that is heavily reliant on the ground game and has suspect quarterback play could always use all the offensive line help it can get.

Get to know Penn State's first addition from transfer portal. dark. Next

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