Penn State tackle Rasheed Walker is entering the 2022 NFL Draft; how will the Lions replace him?
Penn State has lost another starter to the 2022 NFL Draft.
Left tackle Rasheed Walker announced Monday that he will forego his remaining eligibility and head to the next level.
Walker joins end Arnold Ebiketie, linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks, receiver Jahan Dotson, and end/linebacker Jesse Luketa in doing so from Penn State’s regular season first-team lineup.
“I would like to thank my family for always supporting me and pushing me to be the best version of me in all aspects of life,” Walker wrote in a statement announcing the news. He added:
“I would also like to thanks [Coach] James Franklin and Coach [Phil] Trautwein for believing in me and giving me this tremendous opportunity to play football at the highest collegiate level possible. I will forever be grateful for the memories I have shared with you all in Happy Valley and will always bleed Blue & White.
“This has been a dream of mine since I can remember and I would like to thank you all for being a part of it.”
A three-year starter for the Nittany Lions, the Waldorf, Md., native was twice a third-team All-Big Ten selection. He did not play during a 24-10 Penn State Outback Bowl loss to Arkansas but was rarely absent from the starting lineup otherwise after he earned a first-team nod back in 2019.
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How will Penn State replace Walker?
Penn State and its fans received an early sneak peek at Walker’s possible replacement.
Olu Fashanu started at left tackle and played all 63 offensive snaps the Lions offense took in the Outback Bowl.
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“Olu was going to start during the year, now we’re in a position obviously that he’s going to do it on Saturday,” Franklin said prior to kickoff.
“We have a lot of faith and confidence in him. It’s going to be exciting to watch him go out and play. He’s had a really good week of practice.”
Penn State also used Landon Tengwall at tackle late in the regular season. However, in the postseason, the first-year lineman played guard. His future might be there instead of at tackle, but he’s another option. Other tackles on the roster as of Jan. 3 with eligibility remaining include Jimmy Christ, Ibrahim Traore, Maleek McNeil, and Class of 2022 signee Drew Shelton. Starting right tackle Caedan Wallace is expected to return, as well.
The Lions would undoubtedly like to bolster that position group via the NCAA transfer portal if possible. They are a finalist for Cornell transfer target Hunter Nourzad, who is a two-time All-Ivy League selection. He played tackle in for the Big Red and is more likely than not to play guard at the next level. That said, he’s a top name to know regardless of inside or out in the portal for the Lions.
Discuss Walker’s decision and more with other Penn State fans inside The Lions Den forum.
