James Franklin updates transition Drew Shelton has made at right tackle

As Penn State continues with its spring practice, it’s doing so with a player who made a mark as a true freshman, offensive lineman Drew Shelton, adjusting to a new position at right tackle.

After filling in at left tackle late in the season for the Nittany Lions in 2022, Shelton is getting some run on the opposite side in camp, splitting reps with Caedan Wallace.

It’s been a bit of a process getting Shelton up to speed.

“Yeah I think it’s been a learning curve for him,” coach James Franklin said. “He’s not as comfortable there.”

While the Nittany Lions might have hoped for a bit of a smoother transition, that’s what spring ball is all about. It’s a chance for players to experiment with new looks or new positions.

Shelton is doing that after getting his feet wet as a true freshman late in the season in 2022 after Penn State’s depth thinned considerably.

Franklin is hopeful Drew Shelton can play a major role at right tackle this fall, though Penn State has more than one option there and might not necessarily need Shelton to be a starter right away.

“It’s amazing, some guys can make that transition and it doesn’t phase them,” Franklin said. “You’re in a different stance, your footwork obviously is different. And some guys can just flip over there and it doesn’t phase them. It’s been a little bit of an adjustment for him, but again I think it’s good. I think it’s been really good for him, and I’d rather go through some of these growing pains now than in the fall.”

Penn State could actually luck out as the injuries late last season might have been a factor in a few key players sticking around. Wallace is back as a redshirt senior, while junior Olumuyiwa Fashanu is also back after a strong season.

Both are going to be counted on to be mainstays on the offensive line for the Nittany Lions.

From there it’s all about rounding out the depth chart and finding the best combinations up front — whether that involves Drew Shelton at right tackle or elsewhere — so Penn State has its best group out there at all times.

That may still involve some shuffling from where players are at right now in spring practice.

“We have to figure out, we have to develop, we have to find a fourth tackle,” Franklin explained. “That’s going to be an important piece for us or we’re going to be in a situation like we did last year, flip Caedan (Wallace) over and play him at right tackle or, excuse me, keep him at left tackle and flip over (Olumuyiwa Fashanu) depending on how things go, but I prefer not to do that.”