
Penn State’s Left Tackle Battle Heats Up Ahead of 2026 Season
With the starting lineup largely defined, the competition for the blind‑side spot will shape the Nittany Lions' offense and quarterback health.
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With the starting lineup largely defined, the competition for the blind‑side spot will shape the Nittany Lions' offense and quarterback health.

The Nittany Lions are evaluating key competitions at defensive end, tackle, running back, line, center and punter as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Fall camp will determine starter roles across the Nittany Lions' defense and special teams, highlighting both established talent and emerging prospects.

With a combined weight exceeding 5,900 pounds and an average height of 6‑5, Penn State’s offensive line enters the 2026 season as one of the most formidable units in college football, featuring a mix of established starters and emerging talent.

With 71 days until kickoff, Penn State’s coaching staff expects redshirt sophomore Garrett Sexton to see action along the offensive line, building on a developmental year that earned him repeated accolades.

With the season opener looming, Penn State’s coaching staff highlights the progress of redshirt sophomore Garrett Sexton, a Wisconsin recruit who could see increased playing time on the line.

As the Countdown to Kickoff reaches 74 days, transfer offensive tackle Kuol Kuol II emerges as a key piece of Penn State’s revamped roster.

Four-star offensive tackle Owen Alicene, a standout from Avon, Connecticut, has committed to Penn State and is poised to compete for a starting role in 2026.

With the 2026 season on the horizon, Penn State's offensive line is set to blend veteran experience with fresh talent, featuring returning starters, notable transfers and a group of promising underclassmen.

The Nittany Lions' refreshed online roster reflects physical growth across the squad, driven by a strong conditioning staff and setting the stage for a September 5 opener against Marshall.

Penn State is preparing for a 2026 season that will look dramatically different from the one that concluded in 2025. With new head coach Matt Campbell leading the charge, the program is undergoing a comprehensive roster transformation, bringing in a wave of transfers and fresh talent while saying goodbye to several departing seniors. Among the players set to benefit from this shift is offensive lineman Jim Fitzgerald, a walk‑on who has been at the program since the Class of 2022. Hailing from Severna Park, Maryland, Fitzgerald has spent three years developing on the scout team and in limited game action, establishing himself as a dependable depth option. His college career has been marked by modest but meaningful snap counts. He logged a single appearance in the 2025 season and contributed on two occasions as a true freshman in 2022. He did not see action in the 2023 or 2024 campaigns, but his persistence has kept him on the roster as a redshirt senior. In the upcoming year, Fitzgerald is expected to remain a deep reserve along the offensive line. The starting tackle spots are projected to be anchored by Malachi Goodman and Anthony Donkoh, while the top backups are likely to be Garrett Sexton and Owen Aliciene. This depth chart gives Fitzgerald a realistic pathway to see more playing time if injuries or performance shifts arise. The Fitzgerald family’s football pedigree adds an extra layer of intrigue. His father, uncle, and grandfather all played the sport at the collegiate level — Navy, Auburn, and Southern Miss respectively — weaving a tradition of competition and resilience into his approach. Coach Campbell’s vision emphasizes competition and versatility, and Fitzgerald’s blend of experience and family‑driven work ethic fits neatly into that philosophy. As the team finalizes its preparations, the coaching staff will be watching closely to see how the Maryland native contributes to the offensive line’s continuity and depth.

An inside look at how Penn State's new coaching staff, transfer activity, and emerging talent will shape the 2026 roster.

The Nittany Lions are reshaping their offensive line for the 2026 season, with former Iowa State coach Matt Campbell ushering in a wave of transfers. Among them, four‑star recruit Garrett Sexton could become the top backup behind incumbent starter Anthony Donkoh.