Malachi Goodman's Shocking Rise and Why Penn State Fans Should Be Buzzing

Alright, Emerald City! You gotta hear about this. Penn State's football program, yeah, I know, not the Hawks, but stick with me, they just dropped an offensive line preview that's got me absolutely HYPED. We're talking fresh faces, dudes ready to go, and a couple of surprises that are setting the tone early for their season. Forget waiting for fall camp, the vibes are already electric!

The Tackle Turnaround

First up, the big boys at offensive tackle are shaping up with some serious potential. Anthony Donkoh, who played right tackle in 2024 before kicking inside to guard for 2025, is back on the outside. All signs point to him locking down the right tackle spot in 2026. But get this, the real head-turner is redshirt freshman Malachi Goodman. This dude apparently had a very strong spring practice and looks to have the inside track to start at left tackle! Remember, he was a five-star recruit, so the sky is the limit for his potential. And it’s not just them. Keep your eyes peeled on redshirt sophomore Garrett Sexton, redshirt freshman Owen Aliciene, and Iowa State transfer Kuol Kuol. These guys are all pushing Goodman hard and will be battling it out for the two-deep, adding some fierce competition to the room.

Guarding the Trenches

Moving inside to guard, we've got two more studs ready to anchor that line. Junior Cooper Cousins is stepping up big time. He became a real leader this offseason, helping mend the roster, and his off-the-field value has been huge. But don't sleep on his on-field impact, because after sitting behind some really good guards for two seasons, he’s absolutely primed for a breakout campai

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gn this year. The other starting spot is likely going to redshirt junior Trevor Buhr, a transfer from Iowa State. This guy was All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2025, so you know he brings that next-level grit. He’s expected to be a rock-solid stalwart on that offensive line for the next couple of seasons. And for depth? Don't forget Iowa State transfers Vaea Ikakoula and Will Thompkins. Ikakoula especially gives me major Vega Ioane vibes, and you know what that means for us: more big Polynesian power up front!

The Center Scramble

Finally, the heartbeat of the offensive line: center. It's looking like a two-man race right now. Leading the charge is Brock Riker, a transfer from Texas State that Penn State managed to snag over powerhouses like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. That's a huge get! He’s a fluid mover with a long 6-foot-4 frame, even if he's a bit lighter at 291 pounds. The plan seems to be getting him involved in combo blocks and then moving downfield. But he won’t have it easy, because Dominic Rulli is back for his fifth season. Rulli played admirably at center in their Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson. He brings solid size at 6-foot-3, 298 pounds, great technique, and high football acumen. It’s going to be a battle worth watching to see who takes that starting snap. So yeah, even though it's not our Seahawks battling on Lumen Field, this Penn State O-line situation has me buzzing like it is! The potential for this group, with all these new starters and breakout candidates, is off the charts. If they can come together and dominate up front, it sets up their entire offense for a massive season. Get ready for some trench warfare in fall camp, folks, because these battles are going to be legit!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.