The Penn State offensive line plan in 2022 is a simple one: 'Prove it'; here's where they are on that path in camp

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State coach James Franklin said at Big Ten Media Days a year ago that he was excited about what his offensive line could do. Then, the unit turned in more of the same up-and-down play it had put on display during a few other instances in his tenure.

So, this year, the ninth-year leader of the Nittany Lions took a different approach in front of reporters at the annual conference event. He said unpromoted during his opening statement that “O-line is the group that we come and talk about every single year, and I tell you this is going to be the year for the next step at that position. I’m not going to do that this year. I’m going to let them prove that to you on the field.”

That’s exactly what he’s pushing the group to do during preseason camp. It continued Wednesday during the second week of drills, which featured another media session following it.

Fans have heard enough. There have been years since 2014 when the Penn State offensive line was above average. Too often, though, it’s been just OK or well below the expectations set for it before kickoff. So, now more than ever, sustained successful results must be seen to be believed.

‘I do think we’re making progress’

Franklin’s measured approach this offseason to his Penn State offensive line seems to be a new tone. But, it isn’t as intentional as it may seem to be.

“I have felt good in years past, and we haven’t been able to consistently play at the level that we need to play at,” Franklin said. “It wasn’t like this big comprehensive plan in the offseason and in the summer to not talk about them. I just said I’m not I’m not going to get up here again and tell you. I’m going to prove it to you. And they’re going to prove it to you. We’re just gonna try to get better every single day and every single week. I do think we’re making progress. But again, we got to do it Thursday night, Sept. 1, against Purdue, Big Ten competition, all that good stuff.

“And then I’ll be interested to see what you guys say Thursday night after the game, and then whoever we play the next week, we got to go out and do it again because you’re only as good as your last
competition, as we all know very well. So just taking a measured approach.”

Penn State returns two players who started multiple games last year. Juice Scruggs moves to center from guard while Caedan Wallace remains at right tackle. Outback Bowl first-teamer Olu Fashanu now assumes the full-time left tackle job. And, a battle between lightly experienced but highly talented second-year lineman Landon Tengwall, Cornell transfer Hunter Nourzad, and would-have-been-a-starter-if-not-hurt fourth-year Lion Saleem Wormley will help decide the starting guards.

There is a quiet confidence that the top six plus the depth behind them could and maybe even should result in better plan than we’ve seen in recent years. But, that’s also a sentence that has been written during other offseasons with varied results to back it up.

How off-field hands are helping at Penn State

Franklin also talked about how the additions of some new analysts at Penn State has helped. Trautwein pointed to new staffer and former Boston College assistant Frank Leonard as someone who has made an impact. Former Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who has been with the Lions for a couple of years now, has as well.

“That offensive line coach, a lot of times you’re in that room on your own,” Franklin said. “And it’s a little bit like quarterbacks, where a lot of people have opinions.

“But, unless you’ve coached that position, there’s a lot that goes into it. So, having some other experienced people that they can sit in a room and talk through issues and solve problems on top of the existing staff, I think those things have been really, really valuable for us.”

Looking ahead to the Penn State football fall up front

All told, it may feel like we’ve said a lot without saying a lot. After all, though, that’s kind of the point. Depth can be pointed to. So can a mixture of returners and newcomers on the field who collectively provide hope that the Penn State offensive line can take the next step. But, in the end, what will matter is what happens on Sept. 1 and then the 12 Saturdays that follow it.

“We’re coming out every practice to get better,” offensive line coach Phil Trautwein said.

“No matter how good we are, or success, or whatever, we’re always working to get better. The guys in the room are working. They’re working every single day and it’s great to see.”

The offensive line is a key offseason topic for Penn State yet again. Perhaps this is the year that the tune of the in-season conversations will change.

But, only time will tell.

“I don’t want it to be misinterpreted,” Franklin said. “I like where we’re at … in both of those areas [mentally and physically up front], but we still have work to do before the season.”

Added Scruggs:

“We’re going to come out with a chip on our shoulder. We got a lot of people to prove wrong, and feel like nobody really believes in us. That’s cool. I’ve been slept on my whole life. And, that’s cool. They can keep sleeping on us. We’re just got to come up prove everybody wrong.”