Penn State football enters 2026 with significant questions surrounding Matt Campbell’s first year as head coach of the Nittany Lions.

The former Iowa State coach overhauled much of the roster, welcomed several former Cyclone standouts, and is installing a completely different ideology and culture in Happy Valley. That transition creates natural uncertainty, but from everything I have gathered talking to folks on the Penn State side, there is one unit that could quietly define how competitive this team is in Year 1: the offensive line.

Campbell brought his former Iowa State offensive line coach, Ryan Clanton, with him, a staff known for getting units to outperform their perceived talent level. Now they inherit a group with significant returning talent and a handful of promising newcomers. The early returns have been encouraging, and there is genuine belief within the program that this could be one of the better offensive lines in the Big Ten.

Cooper Cousins poised for a breakout

Perhaps the highest expectations belong to projected starting right guard Cooper Cousins, a former 5-star recruit from the 2024 class. His first two seasons did not quite meet the lofty billing, but the 6-6, 320-pound lineman appears to be on the cusp of putting it all together.

From what I’ve been told, Cousins has had a tremendous offseason. He has added power and core strength to his frame and has been working incredibly hard. The new staff believes this is the year he delivers on the promise that made him one of the top recruits in the country.

Malachi Goodman brings elite upside at left tackle

Projected starting left tackle Malachi Goodman is another former top recruit who generates a lot of excitement. Now standing at 6-6 and 331 pounds as a true freshman, the physical gifts he brings are tremendous. Sources indicate his work ethic has been strong this offseason, and he has taken to the coaching staff’s instruction while improving day by day.

There is an expectation that he will experience some growing pains playing left tackle in the Big Ten as a young player, but those same people believe he could make a massive ascension down the stretch and emerge as one of the most promising young left tackles in college football.

Transfers bring experience and physicality

Two transfer additions have Happy Valley feeling optimistic about the interior of the line. Trevor Buhr, projected to start at left guard, is a familiar face for the coaching staff after starting on Iowa State’s interior offensive line. He is not as flashy or talented as some of the other names in this group, but he brings experience and physicality. He plays with a mean streak, which could prove to be a huge asset for a team trying to jumpstart its running game under the new regime.

At center, Brock Riker arrives from Texas State as a redshirt sophomore who was heavily pursued in the portal. He played at roughly 290 pounds last season but has reportedly added enough weight to push past 300 pounds this offseason. If that weight gain is a productive one, Riker could end up being the best center in the entire conference. He is one of the most gifted movers in the offensive line room, a smooth center who can work up to the second level and move laterally.

The optimism for what Riker can be in his first year in Happy Valley is very real.

Anthony Donkoh rounds out the group at right tackle

Rounding out the projected starting five is Anthony Donkoh, who has experience at both right tackle and interior guard. He has always seemed slightly out of position at tackle, but that has not stopped the new staff from expressing real confidence in what he can become. Donkoh has reshaped his body this offseason and looks quicker than he appeared in the previous film. The coaching staff does not view him as a stopgap starter. They believe he has the potential to be a very good player at right tackle.

This is the optimistic portion of the offseason, and it is fair to apply some skepticism. But if the people behind the scenes are right about this offensive line’s potential ascension, Penn State could end up being a sneaky competitor in the Big Ten. Campbell’s teams at Iowa State lived off physical offensive line play and a productive run game. If this group can establish that identity and allow quarterback Rocco Becht to manage games with his experience, the Nittany Lions have a chance to win more games than many expect heading into 2026.