Penn State football has a number of returning offensive linemen for the 2026 season, including names like Cooper Cousins, Dominic Rulli, and Anthony Donkoh.
4-star RB chooses program with former Penn State coach over the Nittany Lions
One name in particular that flew under-the-radar due to injury is redshirt freshman Malachi Goodman. Goodman was expected to be a difference maker in the trenches for the Nittany Lions, but his true freshman season in 2025 didn't allow him to embody the five-star quality he came in as. On top of dealing with injury, Goodman fought against veteran linemen in 2025 as well
“The speed of the game, transitioning from high school to college,” Goodman said of what was a challenge when he first got to Happy Valley, according to Lyle Alenstein of The Daily Collegian. “I picked up the playbook pretty fine last year. I would say that the speed of the game really, how fast we were playing, how fast I can pick up the plays and go full speed while I'm playing.”
While knowing he still has some growth left in him, the first week of spring practice proved exactly why he was a five-star recruit. Per Alenstein, Goodman took starting reps at left tackle throughout Thursday's viewing session.
In addition to the redshirt freshman, junior lineman Cooper Cousins quickly emerged as a leader on and off the field for the Nittany Lions. He's in the race to be a starting guard, but can also take some reps at tackle. Cousins also noted to Bob Flounders of Penn Live that he can also play center if needed.
His versatility as a player will prove useful for Penn State as head coach Matt Campbell and offensive line coach Ryan Clanton figure out what their starting line, depth, and rotation looks like heading into 2026.
The Nittany Lions' offensive line room is rounded out with Chimdy Onoh, Donnie Harbour, Henry Boehme, Garrett Sexton, Liam Horan, Owen Aliciene, Jim Fitzgerald, Hunter Albright, Trevor Buhr, Tyshon Huff, Kuol Kuol II, Vaea Ikakoula, Brock Riker, Will Tompkins, and Mason Bandhauer. Kuol II, Tompkins, Ikakoula, and Buhr followed Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State.