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Will Penn State Football upgrade its offensive line via the transfer portal?

By Alec Whitaker

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 05: Kayton Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 05: Kayton Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Football will use the transfer portal anyway it can to make its 2023 roster complete

Penn State football is expected to be aggressive in the transfer portal this offseason, but what positions will the Nittany Lions upgrade at?

Wide receiver seems like a lock to be upgraded via the transfer portal. The Nittany Lions have handed out numerous offers to wide receivers in the portal and continue to do so as more names enter.

Cornerback also seems to be a position Penn State would like to add at.

But, what about the offensive line?

Penn State’s offensive line made huge strides in 2022 compared to 2021. The group had depth and played well for the majority of the season. Two draft eligible members of this unit, Olu Fashanu and Hunter Nourzad, also announced that they will be back in 2023.

The offensive line should be a strength for Penn State football in 2023.

While head coach James Franklin should feel good about his offensive line in 2023, he should never be content. If Franklin has the opportunity to make the group better, he will.

It seems like that’s exactly what Franklin is thinking as Penn State extended an offer to Rhode Island transfer offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius last week. Cornelius played right tackle at Rhode Island. He already has offers from Nebraska, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Louisville, Oregon, Auburn, South Carolina, Florida and others.

Penn State’s starting right tackle from 2022, Caedan Wallace, is expected back in 2023, but he has the versatility to play guard as well. If the Nittany Lions feel Cornelius is a better tackle than Wallace, they should absolutely try to land him. The fact Cornelius also has multiple years of eligibility left makes him an intriguing target.

That would give Wallace the opportunity to move to guard and battle it out with Sal Wormley and Landon Tengwall for the two guard spots. Nourzad is expected to take over for Juice Scruggs at center.

This competition at guard will not only motivate the players to give it their all, but it will also create depth at the position. Penn State dealt with injuries to Tengwall, Wallace and Fashanu this year, the Nittany Lions need to be prepared for the possibility of that being an issue in 2023 as well.

Penn State should absolutely try to better itself on the offensive line through the transfer portal. There really is no downside to it, especially with how often offensive linemen get banged up, you can never have too much depth.

Keep an eye on Cornelius and any other offensive tackle targets that emerge.

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