Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1486024
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M And Penn State's performance up front looks all the more impressive when you consider the injuries the unit has had to overcome. The Nittany Lions lost a potential NFL first-rounder when redshirt sophomore left tackle Olu Fashanu got hurt ahead of the Indiana game. Freshmen Drew Shel- ton stepped in, burned his redshirt, and the team didn't miss a beat in November. The same can be said for redshirt se- nior Hunter Nourzad, who became the full-time starter at guard when redshirt freshman Landon Tengwall was lost to a season-ending injury in October. Elsewhere, redshirt senior Juice Scruggs is the glue that holds it all to- gether at center, and redshirt junior Sal Wormley has been terrific at the other guard spot. And, with redshirt junior Caedan Wallace also out, red- shirt senior swingman Bryce Effner was effective at right tackle. When you put it all together, this is exactly what Penn State fans have waited so long for: A chance to spend the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas looking optimistically toward the future rather than bemoaning yet an- other season with substandard line play. "The way that the offensive line has conducted itself through the offsea- son, the beginning, and then obviously throughout summer and then into the season, has been fantastic," super senior quarterback Sean Clifford said. Clifford more than anyone has ben- efitted from the improved line play. Penn State finished the regular season tied for 34th in the FBS in fewest sacks allowed (1.5 per game). Before this year, its best finish of the James Franklin era was 44th in 2016. Every other year, the Lions were 75th or worse in the nation in that metric. "We're really growing talent-wise, but also leadership-wise in that group," Clifford said. "I think it starts with Juice Scruggs. I can't tell you how much respect I have for that guy. Juice has been a role model for this university, this program and this team. He leads the offensive line room extremely well. "The list can go on and on between Olu, Sal, Hunt coming in with a transfer, Bryce. Honestly, that whole crew just continues to impress. I can't thank them enough for all they've done this year." It sounds simple, but better, more con- sistent play sparked the change. There were no weak links down the stretch. Leonard, who worked with Trautwein previously at Boston College, brought a fresh perspective that has paid dividends. The receivers and tight ends are blocking better, too. "It's just technique and fundamentals," Trautwein said. "And then you have a really good left tackle like Olu, and he's usually going against the best guy on [the opponent's] defensive line, and you've got Juice holding down the middle, commu- nicating and making sure everyone is on the same page, because communication is key. A lot of sacks that are given up are because of communication. "And then Clifford is doing a heck of a job, and the running backs. This isn't just the offensive line. This is all of us. The wide receivers are getting open. It's a big group. It's definitely a unit goal, and the guys are doing a heck of a job." Nourzad, who transferred to PSU this past offseason from Cornell, has already said he intends to return in 2023, as has Fashanu. But except for those two and Shelton, all of the players mentioned above will have a stay-or-go decision to make. If most return, if younger players like freshman Vega Ioane and junior col- lege transfer JB Nelson step up and if the coaches are able to supplement their tal- ent pool via the transfer portal, PSU fans might be singing the same tune again next fall. That's the goal of everyone in the pro- gram. For now, though, players, coaches and fans might as well enjoy it, because that tune hasn't been heard in some time. Franklin said recently that Trautwein's role in the offense's improvement has "probably been understated by me. … I think he's done a phenomenal job. Phil has done a great job. Frank has done a great job. "I think Mike has done a really good job in the way he's called the game and understanding that there are some things we've got to tweak and change to put those guys in the best position possible, whether that is running the ball a little bit more, or moving the pocket a little bit or chipping with tight ends and running backs to try to help those guys — all those types of things, whatever it may be." ■ Freshman Lineman Maleek McNeil Leaves Team Penn State freshman offensive tackle Maleek McNeil is no longer with the program. It was unclear as of late November if McNeil will enter the transfer portal, but he is not listed on Penn State's official roster. McNeill was an On3 Consensus three-star recruit from Cor- tlandt Manor, N.Y., who played at Walter Panas High. He was not just an offensive lineman there but also a punter, and his versatility drew interest on social media. The 6-foot-7, 336-pound recruit arrived on campus last sum- mer with hopes of transforming his body into that of a Big Ten offensive tackle. "Maleek was a tremendous addition to our football team this past season," Walter Panas coach Bill Castro said when McNeil signed with the Lions. "He was a great player for us in all three phases of the game. He dominated on both the offensive and defensive line and was also an X-factor on special teams as our punter as well as producing four blocked kicks. "Maleek was an awesome teammate, always coaching and encouraging his peers. We will miss his pres- ence next year, but he has definitely left our program better than how he found it." With McNeill gone, Penn State has only three offensive linemen from the 2022 class on its roster: left tackle Drew Shelton, guard Vega Ioane, and junior college transfer JB Nelson, who is capable of playing multiple positions. — Sean Fitz McNeil came to Penn State as a three-star recruit out of Walter Panas High in New York. PHOTO BY GREG PICKEL