Building an offensive line from Penn State's Class of 2024

Heading into the summer official visit season, Penn State’s offensive line class is nearly complete. It’s one of Penn State’s most talented groups in some time, complete with high-upside players at valuable positions.

Now that the group has enough commits to form a complete unit let’s do some mental exercises by building an offensive line with the players at hand. Today we’ll do a bit of projecting, adding one more uncommitted player.

Building Penn State’s 2024 offensive line

Left Tackle: Garrett Sexton– 6-6, 250

While he’s the most considerable projection in the group, Sexton’s upside represents the best in the class. It’s true that he played last season at 225 pounds, but his strength and movement combination at that weight was unnatural. The newly-minted offensive tackle shocked players with natural strength and violence while still holding his own against stronger, heavier players. Even if he loses some of his top-end speed, his explosiveness should maintain through his weight gain. Once he reaches a playable weight, Sexton could have the best overall profile of the group of impressive Penn State commits.

Left Guard: Ethan Calloway– 6-7, 307

We’re taking some liberties with this list and giving Penn State a third offensive tackle prospect in Ethan Calloway. The North Carolina native has the same frame as the Nittany Lion’s two committed prospects but also brings weight. At 300 pounds, Calloway doesn’t need any projecting. However, he’s not as agile or explosive as Calloway or Egan Boyer. Yet, despite his height, Calloway plays with excellent pad level and moves like a guard on the field. Scoring a player with elite length that can play on the line’s interior is a rare win for any program.

Center: Cooper Cousins– 6-6, 305

Cooper Cousins is the godfather of the 2024 Penn State offensive line, committing over a year ago to the Nittany Lions. While he plays right guard for McDowell, Cousins will play center in this situation. Not only does he have the athleticism and reach to be a complete player at the position, but he’s also shown he’s a team leader through recruiting. Those qualities and his football IQ make him a great fit in the middle of the line. He’s also the rare prospect with the flexibility to play all five positions.

Right Guard: Donnie Harbour– 6-4, 330

The fact that Harbour, a high school left tackle, is playing on the right side for this imaginary offensive line says something about the group’s talent and depth. However, it’s also because Harbour is a natural right guard. Once he works on his conditioning, Harbour is a potential freight train as a pulling blocker. His power, balance, and wide body make him an ideal right guard, keeping in line with the body type and style of players that Penn State has fielded at the position. He’s also a plus-pass protector prospect, which is not as common for this position.

Right Tackle: Eagan Boyer– 6-8, 260

With slightly less reach and a tick less athletic than Sexton, Eagan Boyer will operate the right side of the offensive tackle group for Penn State. But that’s not a slight on Boyer. He’s still an impressive athlete in his own right and has better pass protection and athleticism profiles than Penn State’s starting right tackles under James Franklin. He has a nasty streak as a blocker and could form an imposing duo with Harbour in double-team situations.

Bonus 6OL: Caleb Brewer– 6-4, 295

Brewer’s position ambiguity of offense or defense is why we kept him out of the standard offensive line. However, he’s got the athleticism and second-level blocking skills to be a quality left guard. Even if he plays defensive tackle, there’s nothing to say he can’t come in for short-yardage situations and block. Heck, he even has the skills to catch a pass if he wants to.

A historic combination?

There are still plenty of quality options on the board for the final one (or two) spots on the offensive line. Kevin Heywood is obviously a top choice as a pure tackle as well. But, aside from Heywood and elite prospects like Guerby Lambert or Liam Andrews, who seems committed to playing defensive tackle, Calloway would be the logical choice to join Penn State’s offensive line class. He has the versatility to play inside or outside and gives Penn State legitimate depth at tackle while still having a path to the field. This group would also represent the most complete offensive line recruiting class under head coach James Franklin. It’s also only one commitment away from becoming a reality.