Penn State lineman Anthony Donkoh talks Peach Bowl performance, future position

Before December, Penn State freshman offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh had spent much of his first year in State College focused on being the best guard he could be. He was an interior offensive and defensive lineman at Aldie, Va., Lightridge. Where he fit at the college level would always take time to figure out. But, he started inside and played in a trio of regular season games in 2023.

Fast forward to December, and Penn State’s coaching staff, led by offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, decided to see what Donkoh could do at right tackle. He had never played the position before. But, he picked it up quickly and the coaches liked what they saw. So much so, in fact, that they made Donkoh the backup right tackle for the Peach Bowl. He finished with 46 snaps against Ole Miss and earned the highest PFF grade of any player on offense.

“It’s very different, and it was a big change for me, going to right tackle, but I was able to keep steadying the boat and keep pushing through,” Donkoh said. “And, I was able to find my comfort zone for at least this game.

“I believe that, if anything, I showed my coaches that they can believe in me and trust in me for me to be able to play the position in the spring and going into next season.”

A big reason why Donkoh was able to play in the postseason is because of the man he replaced for the second half of the Peach Bowl: Starting Penn State right tackle Caedan Wallace.

“I love Caedan so much. He helped me so much,” Donkoh said. “When I was taking one-on-one reps, he was always saying, I’m like, do this with your set, do this with your punch, punch a little faster, or like, how to balance my weight. Olu [Fashanu] did the same thing. Drew [Shelton] did the same thing for me too. All all the tackles have been a really huge help for me over the transition, but primarily Caedan because he played that position.”

Penn State has options up front next year, and things to figure out

The Penn State offensive line has holes to fill next season. Wallace, Fashanu, and center Hunter Nourzad are all guaranteed to move on. JB Nelson could be a tackle or guard in 2024. Shelton should take the left side job, but will be pushed by J’Ven Williams. He could also push Donkoh on the other side. Vega Ioane is back inside. So is Sal Wormley. And Nick Dawkins could very well be the center. The Lions have options. Positional flexibility is key. But, it’s true that Trautwein and co., have plenty to figure out. Where Donkoh ends up is just one piece of the puzzle.

“I thought Anthony came in and stepped up, and I don’t know how many plays he played, but he did his thing,” Trautwein told BWI. “First time ever playing tackle in a live situation. “He’s smart kid, he came into work.”

Added Donkoh:

“I see myself wherever I can play. In [the Peach Bowl] performance, I loved playing right tackle. So that’s the position that Coach Franklin and Coach Trautwein wants me to play, I’ll play that position going into next season and for the rest of my career.”

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