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Does Penn State football need to add offensive tackle depth?

By Alec Whitaker

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Penn State Nittany Lions players sing the alma mater on the field after the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Penn State Nittany Lions players sing the alma mater on the field after the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 29: Bryce Effner #72 of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Zach Harrison #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 29: Bryce Effner #72 of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Zach Harrison #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The Numbers

Here we’ll look at the players that have played offensive tackle, or are projected to for Penn State football, the guards and centers will not be in this number.

Next season, Penn State football will have Anthony Donkoh, Jven Williams(maybe), Drew Shelton, Landon Tengwall(maybe), Ibrahim Toare and Jimmy Christ as the young options. The depth really comes down to what happens with Olu Fashanu, Caedan Wallace and Bryce Effner.

If at least two of these older guys come back, the Nittany Lions would have eight players on the roster that can play offensive tackle if needed. Five of them have seen action at the position in college and are experienced players.

If Fashanu somehow decided to turn down the NFL for one more season, this would actually be a pretty solid unit with ample depth.

The Penn State staff should definitely consider adding another tackle to the 2023 class though, because Fashanu, Wallace and Effner will all be gone after the 2023 season.

Numbers are one thing, talent is another. Losing Fashanu would be a big blow, if a big-time offensive tackle enters the portal in the coming weeks, Penn State should be all over it. Even if Fashanu does come back, the Nittany Lions can continue to look at portal options and give themselves the best possible starting five in 2023.

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