Penn State coach Phil Trautwein talks offensive line development, young players stepping up, and more

Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is as mild-mannered as an assistant coach can come. He does not get down when the going gets tough and is not over-the-top excited when things are going well. His players have copied that mindset, and it’s working for all of them as the Lions continue to display their best play up front in a few years.

The now fourth-year member of James Franklin’s staff was quick to praise the entire offense when asked about his unit’s improved run and pass blocking this season. That’s fine and well and true. But, it must also be acknowledged that even despite injuries, the group in the trenches is playing at a high level.

“I just work every day just to try to get better, and that’s the way we work,” Trautwein said Thursday. “That’s the mindset we have in this program. We understand that no matter what. Because everybody’s saying great things right now, but if against Maryland, we don’t play the way we think we’re going to play, or the way you think we’re going to play, that’s going to totally go the other way.

“We just got to live day-by-day and just work to make sure that we do everything we can for each other to go out, be 1-0, and let everything go. As long as we know we give everything we got every day, then we know we’re given everything we have. And usually, when that happens, you get the results that you have.”

Trautwein addressed numerous other Penn State topics during a ZOOM call with reporters. Here’s the rundown.

On the situation at left tackle

The first question for the assistant coach focused on the play of Olu Fashanu through eight games in addition to how Drew Shelton fared as a replacement starter for him last week.

“Olu was playing on a really high level, “Trautwein said. “He was doing what he needed to do out on the football field, and then his preparation has been awesome. The way he prepares, the way he attacks practice; you kind of saw it in the spring when he got the job. Even in the [Penn State] bowl practices last year. He’s motivated, and he wants to be the best. So you know, he was playing at a high level.

“And, Drew Shelton, coming in as a freshman and going out there and playing as a true freshman. isi awesome. Seeing him and seeing how he’s grown up since recruiting him. I wish you guys would have saw me as a freshman. It wouldn’t have been good going out on that field. But, he went out there and did his thing. And, he’ll have another, challenge this week, and I’m excited to see him play on Saturday.”

On the lower sack total this season

Penn State surrendered a Big Ten-worst 34 sacks a year ago. However, through nine games, it has given up only 13 and is on pace to give up fewer than 20. What led to the drastic turnaround?

Trautwein said an increased focus on details, fundamentals, and techniques has played a major role. He also praised the defensive developmental squad for getting his players ready to go, in addition to having two stalwarts in Fashanu and center Juice Scruggs. Then, he heaped praise on the offense as a whole.

“It’s just technique and fundamentals, and when you have a really good left tackle like Olu, and he’s going against usually the best guy on their defensive line, and then you got Juice that’s holding down the middle, communicating, and making sure everyone’s on the same page because communication is key,” Trautwein said. “A lot of sacks that are given up are because of communication. And then [Sean] Clifford’s, doing a heck of a job, the running backs; this isn’t just offensive line. This is all of us. The wide receivers getting open. It’s a big group.

Clifford seeing progressions and throwing the ball, getting the ball out when he needs to, and then finding some extra time with his feet is always good. So we’re in this as a unit. And, it’s good to see we’re all kind of working together.

“It’s definitely a unit goal, and the guys are doing a heck of a job.”

Trautwein offered a similar take as to why the run game has improved, too.

On JB Nelson, Drew Shelton, and Vega Ioane

It’s pretty uncommon for a program to feel comfortable with using one first-year offensive lineman during a season. But, Penn State has used three so far: Guards JB Nelson and Vega Ioane, plus tackle Drew Shelton. Trautwein commented on each.

On Shelton: “He’s always doing extra after practice. When I knew that I was starting him versus Indiana, I knew the way he’s been preparing. I’ve been seeing his [pregame] tests, what he’s been doing, and he’s a great kid. And I knew at the end of the day, he was going to go out on that field and give everything he got to his team. And sometimes that’s more valuable than the other stuff, and, honestly, that’s why I had all the confidence in the world that he was going to go out there and play. He has the ‘it,’ and his future is so bright. I mean, he’s playing as a freshman. I didn’t play until my junior year, and I was able to play five years in the NFL. So, he’s better than me. As you can see, I’m excited about him. He’s going to continue to get better. He’s not going to ever be content, he’s always going to have that mindset of I need to outwork everyone, and you’re going to see a lot of ball from Drew Shelton for sure.”

Read more of Phil Trautwein’s Penn State comments inside The Lions Den forum

On Nelson: “JB was here in the spring, and he’s growing up. He played 50 some snaps in the last game. to be able to go out there all of a sudden and basically be the starter, he went right in and we didn’t skip a beat. He’s physical, tough, and so, being able to play him and get him ready and keep developing him has been awesome.”

On Ioane: “Vega, love him. Was a late add in last year’s class. And, he’s awesome. I mean, he is everything that I hoped for. He loves ball. He goes out every day, he practices hard. And, he’s ready. So if you guys see him in this game, I hope you guys know he’s ready to go and he’s confident. And, that’s what I’m always trying to do is make sure guys are ready physically, mentally, to go out in that game and he’s been ready and he’s attacking every day at practice.”

When did he think Olu Fashanu could be a first-round pick?

Fashanu has shot up NFL Draft boards this season. At only the age of 19, he’s become one of the top left tackle prospects in next year’s selection process. When did Trautwein realize he could be that good?

“I knew that he had great potential the moment I met him,” Trautwein said. “And then just seeing the way he’s progressed, his mindset, the way he works, the way he just attacks in the classroom; he just has that mindset of guys that I coached that are first-rounders. I knew that if I could get him to play well, get him to understand that and just build confidence in himself, that he was going to go out and play, I knew he was going to go into the bowl game and play well. I definitely could see it. And you know, it’s just hats off to him or just working hard every day.”

And what about that pending NFL Draft decision? Fashanu could come back to Penn State. But, he could also leave after this season.

“He honestly just wants to help our team be 1-0, so it’s probably a decision that we’ll talk about later,” Trautwein continued.

“But, you know, there are some talks, but honestly, he’s one of those kids, he doesn’t want to be a distraction. He just wants to focus on winning. And you know when we have those conversations, we’ll talk about it in more detail.”

On the impact of Hunter Nourzad coming back to Penn State in 2023

Penn State guard Hunter Nourzad announced on Tuesday that he would return to Penn State for the 2023 season. Trautwein did not shy away from how big of a deal that is.

“For next year, it gets [Penn State] a guy that can come in and compete and start and have a guy that has that leadership you want and also he has the experience you want,” Trautwein said.

“He can play guard and center, and just being able to have that next year back, and he’s a great person. Family is awesome. And just having him in my room, having him in the o-line room one more year, is going to be great. He can help lead. So it is big. Everybody was so excited.”