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Penn State Football: will the Nittany Lions be better or worse at each position on offense?

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 23: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions attempts a pass against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 23, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 23: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions attempts a pass against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 23, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Sal Wormley #77 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Sal Wormley #77 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line

The offensive line, the x-factor, the biggest liability for Penn State Football throughout James Franklin’s tenure; will they be an improved unit from the borderline disastrous one we saw in 2021?

Well, let’s start with who the Nittany Lions lost up front: Mike Miranda, Eric Wilson, and Rasheed Walker.

No disrespect to Miranda and Wilson, but they weren’t exactly the type of linemen that can help Penn State get to where they want to be and where they should be. So as far as those two, it could be a case of addition by subtraction.

Landon Tengwall is projected to start at left guard in place of Wilson, and Juice Scruggs will move over in place of Miranda to play center – which is Scruggs’ best and most natural position. Expect those two spots along the offensive front to be much improved for Penn State Football.

Who plays right guard if Scruggs is moving over to center?

An uber-important position battle between Sal Wormley and Hunter Nourzad should determine that. The winner of that competition should be able to replicate what Scruggs did at right guard, which was arguably the Nittany Lions’ best spot along the line in 2021.

Walker’s departure is a bit of a different story, though. He wasn’t always the best, but he had a high upside and it showed at times – which is part of why the Green Bay Packers took a chance on him with a late round draft pick. Losing his experience will certainly hurt, especially early in the season, but overall, his likely replacement in Olu Fashanu seems to be equally as talented, and potentially even better – though time will tell.

Finally at right tackle, Caedan Wallace returns for another year as a starter, and while he doesn’t seem to have all-conference type potential as a tackle (he is better suited as a guard), should hopefully make some strides in the right direction. The experience he brings to the table is also extremely valuable.

Penn State Football will also have some solid backups to provide some depth to Phil Trautwein’s unit, such as JB Nelson, Bryce Effner, Drew Shelton, as well as others.

I know it’s repetitive at this point, and until proven otherwise, fans will remain skeptical, but this year’s offensive line figures to be at least somewhat improved from last year’s.

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