Penn State football: Freshman OL generating buzz ahead of Blue-White Game

Many of the spring storylines for Penn State football will come to a head this weekend at Saturday’s Blue-White Game. We’ll catch our first glimpse at many Nittany Lions suiting up in the Blue and White for the first time — like transfer receiver Julian Fleming and freshman running back Quinton Martin — as well as those we will not see, like injured quarterback Jaxon Smolik. But one of the most critical developments coming out of the spring for James Franklin and Penn State is the emerging position battles along the offensive front. In recent weeks, freshman lineman Anthony Donkoh has started to turn heads and garner high praise from around the locker room heading into the summer.

Anthony Donkoh generating buzz ahead of Blue-White Game

Anthony Donkoh was a four-star offensive lineman in the class of 2023. The Virginia native was ranked as the No. 16 interior offensive lineman and the ninth-best player in the state, according to 247Sports. Donkoh chose James Franklin and the Nittany Lions over the likes of Virginia Tech, Duke, and West Virginia. 

The 6-5, 328-pound freshman only appeared in two games during his redshirt season last fall. But Donkoh made an impact, switching from guard to tackle for Penn State football in December’s Peach Bowl against Ole Miss. Now, Anthony Donkoh is turning heads and pushing for a starting role in his second year on campus.

“Getting back to the offensive line and who I’m really excited about, I have a no-brainer, and the answer is Anthony Donkoh,” former Nittany Lion Landon Tengwall said on the Lions247 podcast earlier this offseason. “He is an extremely talented, strong kid.

“I’ll never forget, he came in right away, was already benching like 405 [pounds] as a freshman. Just unreal strength. And that’s with like Olu Fashanu-like arms, like long arms… I’m really excited to see what he can continue to do.”

Transfer offensive lineman Nolan Rucci has spoken highly of his new teammate this spring, as well. Rucci recently noted that he’s had to “step up his game” this spring due to Donkoh’s play on the offensive front. Other linemen have taken notice, as well.