STATE COLLEGE – Anthony Donkoh, who started 10 games at right tackle last season, is receiving a lot of work at right guard during Penn State’s preseason camp.
Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said Thursday night that it’s too early to determine whether the 6-5, 323-pound Donkoh will play guard or tackle this season.
“He’s looked good (at guard),” Franklin said. “He’s a talented guy. He’s athletic enough to play tackle, but he’s also 323 pounds so he has enough size, strength and power to get movement at guard.
“He’s kind of what you want. You can’t get enough of those guys who have position flexibility. He’s getting a ton of reps at both.”
It was thought that Donkoh was competing only with former Warwick star Nolan Rucci at right tackle. Rucci became the starter last season after Donkoh sustained a season-ending injury and played very well.
Donkoh also is competing with sophomore Cooper Cousins at right guard.
“I want to give them an opportunity to compete,” offensive line coach Phil Trautwein said. “I want to make sure that I play the best five against Nevada (in the Aug. 30 season opener).
“If it’s Anthony at right guard and Nolan at right tackle or Anthony at right tackle and Coop or T.J. (Shanahan) at right guard, we want to have the best five.”
Donkoh is one of four returning starters joining left tackle Drew Shelton, left guard Vega Ioane and center Nick Dawkins.
Former Wyomissing star J’ven Williams has worked mostly at guard during preseason camp after spending the entire spring at right tackle because of injuries to Donkoh and Rucci. He could be part of an eight-man rotation on the line.
“He’s looking good,” Trautwein said “He’s developing. He knows the offense. He’s working hard. He’s doing well.”
Fisher returns: Penn State senior defensive end Zuriah Fisher is off to a strong start at preseason camp after missing all of last season with an injury.
Fisher has battled injuries throughout his college career, but he’s expected to succeed Abdul Carter as the starter on the opposite side from Dani Dennis-Sutton.
“I think Zuriah’s going to have a great year,” Dennis-Sutton said. “I’m not gonna say too much, but he looked great in the summer. I think he’s going to have a huge year.”
Fisher was a four-star recruit who helped Aliquippa win the PIAA and WPIAL championships as a junior. But he only has 38 tackles in his previous five seasons, including 3.5 sacks.
“He is a veteran guy,” Franklin said. “He is an experienced guy. We have a ton of faith in him. We have a ton of belief in him. He’s physical against the run. He’s productive against the pass.
“He has some bumps and bruises that limited him in a couple practices. We expect him to have a big year for us.”
Wallace’s back: Running back Cam Wallace is practicing at full speed after suffering a season-ending injury against Kent State last season.
Wallace, a three-star prospect from Georgia, rushed 18 times for 63 yards and a TD last season before his injury.
“That was a significant injury, so there’s a physical component, a mental component and an emotional component,” Franklin said. “I see him getting more and more confident every day. He’s totally ready to go. I’m proud of him. He’s handled it well.”
Wallace is competing with Quinton Martin Jr. and Corey Smith to be the No. 3 running back behind Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
Allar makes list: Penn State senior Drew Allar was one of 36 quarterbacks named Thursday to the watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award, presented to the nation’s top quarterback.
Allar received All-Big Ten honorable mention the last two seasons and was selected a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award last season.
He has completed 63% of his career passes for 6,302 yards and 53 touchdowns and has rushed for 560 yards and 11 scores.
Allar is one of four Big Ten quarterbacks on the O’Brien Award watch list, joining Luke Altmyer of Illinois, Nico Iamaleava of UCLA and Fernando Mendoza of Indiana.
Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 12, and three finalists will be named Nov. 25. The winner will be announced during ESPN’s College Football Awards Show Dec. 11.
Source: Berkshire mont