Penn State announces surprising position change to talented recruit on early signing day

Forever Penn State has been Linebacker U, but James Franklin has also turned Happy Valley into a tight-end factory. Tyler Warren is the latest and greatest tight end to come out of Franklin’s program, and as he heads to the NFL this offseason, it’s the perfect time for another infusion of tight end talent. That appeared to be what Penn State was getting with three tight ends in the 2025 recruiting class, however, on early signing day a surprising position change altered the outlook of the class. 

Four-star tight end Brady O’Hara was announced as an offensive lineman, a surprising position change that will force the 6-foot-6 250-pound product of North Catholic High School in Western, PA to add significant weight before he arrives in State College and likely throughout his first season. 

The change gives the Nittany Lions and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein four offensive linemen in the 2025 class and if not for a late flip from former Purdue commit Brian Kortovich would have left the program with just one incoming tight end. Penn State has considerable depth at both positions with an offensive line that’s likely to return three starters next season and five-star true freshman Luke Reynolds looking ready to step into Warren’s shoes a season from now, so this decision wasn’t made to fill a need, rather because it’s the best fit for the player. 

While he was an effective pass-catcher in the WPIAL, O’Hara wasn’t a high-volume receiver and his best tape is as a blocker, specifically in the run game. He has quick feet and good hands, which he displayed as a defensive end and will translate to offensive tackle, and plenty of power when he gets downhill. His frame is also perfect to be able to add weight and get up near 300 pounds. 

O’Hara is listed at 250 pounds, but he’s light in the lower half, and that makes him surprisingly easy to tackle even for overmatched high school secondaries. Defensive backs were able to go low and take his legs out, which would be even easier for Big Ten safeties and linebackers. Now, he won’t have to worry about that because he can add weight without worrying about sacrificing speed and he won’t have the ball in his hands. 

Penn State is loaded at offensive tackle. Drew Shelton is likely to return for 2025 and Anthony Donkoh is a budding star in his redshirt freshman season. Behind those two are Nolan Rucci, J’Ven Williams, and even true freshman Eagan Boyer who has impressed Franklin in his limited reps at both right and left tackle. Still, you can never have too much depth along the offensive line, as Ohio State has learned this season with season-ending injuries to starting left tackle Josh Simmons and center Seth McLaughlin. 

O’Hara, who was also North Catholic’s long-snapper, was already playing like an extra offensive tackle in high school, now he gets to play there full-time and he could blossom into an impact player in the trenches for the Nittany Lions.