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Four‑star offensive tackle Malachi Goodman, now 6‑6 and 330 pounds, is poised to make an impact for Penn State in the upcoming season after a year of intensive training.
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.
Penn State’s offense is being rebuilt under new head coach Matt Campbell, who brings a wave of talent from Iowa State and aims to elevate the Nittany Lions’ performance in the 2026 season.
Penn State’s 2026 roster blends elite defensive talent with a challenging schedule, making the development of the offensive line and depth on the defensive line pivotal.
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.
Under new head coach Matt Campbell, Penn State football is reshaping its roster with a mix of high‑profile transfers and untested youngsters. The success of the season may hinge on how quickly these players can gel.
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.
With injuries behind him and new transfers arriving, Penn State’s roster for the 2026 season features several players ready to make a significant impact.
Penn State’s new head coach Matt Campbell is reshaping the roster for 2026, and offensive lineman Malachi Goodman, a top recruit from New Jersey, is poised to compete for a starting spot at left tackle.