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How Penn State Football can use recruiting to keep up with Ohio State

By Alec Whitaker

Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) during the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.Penn State At Ohio State FootballSyndication The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) during the third quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.Penn State At Ohio State FootballSyndication The Columbus Dispatch /
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Landon Tengwall, Penn State Football
Landon Tengwall #58 of Penn State Football (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Offensive line

This once again goes back to Michigan’s victory over the Buckeyes last season.

The Wolverines used their impressive offensive line to control the line of scrimmage and manage the clock to their advantage. This is the best way to stop a high-powered offense, limit their opportunities.

The offensive line has long been the Achillies Heel of the Penn State offense. We saw that on full display this past season as the team struggled to run the ball and quarterback Sean Clifford took a beating in the second half of the season.

Recruiting is starting to improve though.

The 2021 class was highlighted by Landon Tengwall, who was at top 100 prospect in the nation and one of the best offensive linemen in the class. Penn State then landed 4-star offensive tackle Drew Shelton in the 2022 class, along with three other offensive linemen.

The 2023 class has really taken off though. The Nittany Lions landed 5-star interior offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier last July and have since added highly touted 4-star Jven Williams and 3-star Anthony Donkoh.

The class isn’t complete yet as the Nittany Lions are looking to add 4-star tackle Evan Link to their class.

An influx of talent will certainly help the Nittany Lions on the offensive line. It will help protect the quarterback, so he can keep up with Ohio State on the scoreboard and help open holes for the running back, so he can milk the clock.

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