Penn State 2023 early look: What to expect from the interior of the Lions’ offensive line

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Penn State 2023 early look: What to expect from the interior of the Lions’ offensive line

Pennlive.Com (Tns) | Wednesday, February 22, 2023 11:37 a.m.

Penn State lineman Sal Wormley blocks for quarterback Sean Clifford (14) against Utah during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif.

We’ve sorted through most of Penn State’s positions as James Franklin’s program moves closer to the start of spring drills. The Nittany Lions, coming off an 11-2 season, should be in the top-10 conversation in 2023.

Penn State won its last five games to close out 2022. The improvement of the offensive line was a major reason for the Lions’ success, and the unit should be a team strength in the fall.

PennLive’s early look series moves to the interior of PSU’s O-line.

Top returnees: Landon Tengwall, Hunter Nourzad, Sal Wormley, JB Nelson, Vega Ioane

Tengwall, Nourzad and Wormley all have starting experience. Tengwall started 2022 as the Lions’ left guard but his season ended after five games due to an undisclosed injury. Nourzad, an FCS transfer, took over at left guard when Tengwall went down. Wormley started 13 games at right guard last season. Nelson, in his second year after a JUCO stint at Lackawanna, may provide help at guard or tackle. He played in four games in 2022. Ioane, a redshirt freshman, has impressive size and strength. The 6-foot-4, 336-pounder appeared in four games last year.

Moving on: Juice Scruggs

Now a solid NFL prospect, Scruggs started 13 games at center last season and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors by the conference’s coaches. Scruggs was also a team captain.

Player to watch: Nourzad

Nourzad, who played some center last season before taking over at left guard, should get first crack at the center spot vacated by Scruggs. He is one of the most versatile offensive linemen on the team. Prior to joining Penn State’s program in 2022, Nourzad was a standout at Cornell, making 20 consecutive starts at right tackle.

2023 signees: J’ven Williams, Alex Birchmeier, Anthony Donkoh, Chimdy Onoh

Penn State’s crop of first-year offensive linemen is impressive, beginning with Williams, the five-star signee from Wyomissing. Birchmeier is also viewed as an elite prospect. Williams, Birchmeier and Donkoh are January enrollees who have the size and talent to play multiple spots. Onoh, a late four-star addition from Maryland, also has position flexibility. He will arrive in State College during the summer.

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