What are the top three questions facing the Penn State offensive line entering the summer?

Penn State football enters the summer feeling good about its offensive line. But, that does not mean every question has been answered about position coach Phil Trautwein’s group following spring practice.

Blue-White Illustrated is taking a look at the top three issues facing each part of the Lions’ roster entering the summer. Today, the blockers are in focus.

1. Will Hunter Nourzad’s position switch go smoothly?

Penn State moved a guard to center last season, as Juice Scruggs moved over one spot and became the man in the middle of the Lions’ offensive line. It will have a player make a similar switch this season. Hunter Nourzad, who played tackle at Cornell before coming to State College last year and moving inside to compete in the Big Ten, is now on track to be the starting center in 2023.

Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and Scruggs were both bullish about the veteran’s potential in his new role back before the Rose Bowl. Through spring ball, nothing has changed. It helps, too, that the Lions made it a point of emphasis to get Nourzad some snapping reps last year. Most came during practice, but he did receive a few opportunities during game action, as well.

“It’s a hard change, obviously,” Nourzad said in April. “There’s a lot more. It’s more mentally taxing. But, I enjoy it because there’s a lot of stuff that can happen.

“At center, we try to make all the calls, see all the pressures go out, all that stuff. So, it’s hard. But, I was taking practice center reps [last] fall as well. So, it’s been a smooth transition, I think.”

Penn State needs it to be. And, to help it be a success, Nourzad must work closely with the quarterbacks this summer to continue building the bond that is needed between them and their center before preseason practice.

2. How many game-ready tackles does Penn State have?

It’s been endlessly said that Penn State feels as good about its offensive line entering a season as perhaps it ever has in the James Franklin era. But, like with any position of strength, injuries can quickly derail preseason beliefs.

That may be the case with the Lions’ tackle position. Future top 10 NFL Draft pick Olu Fashanu will anchor the Lions’ line. But, he missed time last year due to injury. Drew Shelton filled in well at left tackle in year one. A tryout on the right side during spring practice did not seem to go as well. Thus, right tackle appears to be Caedan Wallace’s job to lose, with Shelton as the likely top backup on both sides.

Beyond those three, the picture isn’t as clear. Freshman J’Ven Williams will likely fill a high spot on the depth chart by default. JB Nelson figures to be a swing guard or tackle. But, from there, it’s hard to build out a three-deep. So, how the tackles progress (or don’t) this summer will be enormous for the health of that position group come the fall.

3. How will the guard battle shake out?

Penn State seems set on locking returner Saleem Wormley into the right guard spot. How things shake out on the left side, however, is still up in the air. Landon Tengwall will battle JB Nelson and possibly even Vega Ioane for that first-team job, and it should be a fascinating battle to watch. The first two names listed lead the way, but Ioane has long been raved about.

How each player works over the next two months will help set the pecking order for reps in preseason camp. We expect Tengwall and Nelson to split them out of the gate, but a fall timeshare is not guaranteed. Thus, this will be worth following all the way up until the opener to see who comes out on top.

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