It’s almost that time, folks.

Penn State kicks off its 2025 season against Nevada in just four days. After the conclusion of this offseason’s training camps, James Franklin announced some insights on who the starting offensive linemen and tight ends could be for the season opener.

Although the two groups lost significant players to the transfer portal and the NFL, the positions are stocked with experienced talent. Offensive linemen JB Nelson transferred to Kansas State for his final year of eligibility, while the Jacksonville Jaguars picked up Sal Wormley.

How could we forget the loss of star tight end Tyler Warren and the massive impact he had on the Penn State offense last season? Warren was selected No. 14 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. In his final season with the Nittany Lions, Warren scorched opposing defenses for 104 receptions, 1,233 yards, and eight receiving touchdowns. On the ground, he was just as dominant, putting up an additional 218 yards running and four rushing touchdowns.

It’ll be a tall task to fill the shoes of those before them, but this season’s group could prove to be two of the most well-rounded groups on the team.

Offensive Line

Starters: Drew Shelton, Olaivavega Ioane, Nick Dawkins, Anthony Donkoh, Nolan Rucci, Cooper Cousins, TJ Shanahan Jr.

Bench: Dominic Rulli, Alex Birchmeier, J’ven Williams, Chimdy Onoh, Garrett Sexton, Ian Harvie, Chimdy Onoh, Donnie Harbour, Eagan Boyer, Jim Fitzgerald, Henry Boehme, Caleb Brewer, Matt Detisch, Mason Carlan, Liam Horan, Owen Aliciene, Michael Troutman III, Brady O’Hara, Malachi Goodman.

To say this group is experienced would be an understatement. During James Franklin’s first game-week press conference on Monday, he stated that the rotation of Shelton, Ioane, Dawkins, Donkoh, Rucci, Cousins, and Shanahan Jr. would be the main group to grace the field this season.

While Ioane and Dawkins started every game for the Nittany Lions last season, Rucci, Donkoh, and Shelton all have starting experience as well. In addition, Cousins has shown tremendous strides in camp, and Texas A&M transfer Shanahan Jr. also brings experience of his own from the SEC.

With these seven linemen, Franklin plans to maintain a rotation that should keep fresh legs on the field at all times, a luxury for Drew Allar and Penn State’s running game.

Tight End

Starters: Khalil Dinkins

Bench: Luke Reynolds, Andrew Rappleyea, Andrew Olesh, Finn Furmanek, Brian Kortovich, Joey Schlaffer, Matt Henderson.

It could be an impossible task to replicate what Warren did for the Nittany Lions last season. However, Franklin seems to be more than confident that Dinkins could be a serviceable tight end for the 2025 season. On multiple occasions, the head coach made comments about how Dinkins is not being talked about enough. Over the last two seasons, Dinkins has made great strides as a blocker but also as a receiver, racking up 14 receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

It wouldn’t be unusual to see the Penn State offense in 12 personnel, as offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has been known to line up in just about anything. With that being said, tight end depth will be uber-important for offensive efficiency. Talented sophomore Luke Reynolds showed flashes of greatness last season, making nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. In addition, Andrew Rappleyea could be a wild card that surprises some people this season. According to Franklin, Rappleyea was in the running to get significant playing time last season before going down with an injury in the season opener against West Virginia.