Anthony Donkoh has bounced around the Penn State offensive line during his three years in the program. Donkoh worked at guard during his redshirt year in 2023 before starting at right tackle in the Peach Bowl. He acquitted himself well, and in 2024, he started nine games there before suffering a season-ending injury in November.
Last year, Donkoh bumped inside to right guard while Nolan Rucci started at tackle. Donkoh started 10 games on the interior before returning to right tackle against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl. Donkoh offered Penn State versatility and flexibility on the line with his skill set, but with a new coaching staff taking over the program this winter — plus four starters on last year's line moving on — it was worth wondering how Donkoh would fit into the puzzle in 2026.
In March, Penn State offensive line coach Ryan Clanton offered a strong endorsement as to where Donkoh — who missed spring practice because of an unspecified medical procedure — would fit within the position group.
"If I was an NFL coach, I would draft him as a tackle," Clanton said. "He's got super long legs, long arms. I don't think he's a guard, personally. I think he's a tackle."
Donkoh made an early impression on Clanton, who was added to coach Matt Campbell's staff in December after working under him at Iowa State for three seasons.
A couple of players were in Holuba Hall walking through something when Donkoh stopped by after classes. He checked in on what the players were doing, and then everyone proceeded on with their tasks.
When Clanton turned around again, Donkoh had stripped down to his underwear — "He took off his shirt, his sweatshirt, his pants, his shoes and his socks," Clanton said — and was doing drill work.
"It was the most impressive thing I've seen in a long time," Clanton said.
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Campbell, Clanton and the incoming Penn State staff focused on Donkoh when they arrived in the winter and worked to rebuild a roster that lost 70 or so players to the NFL or NCAA Transfer Portal. Donkoh is experienced, talented and has a magnetic personality that would make him a key member of the program with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
"They made me a priority," Donkoh said in February. "I can see where what they have planned for us is going to take us, and where their plan for me is going to take me. ... These guys are great people, great humans. That's one of the biggest reasons why I stayed. I love these guys. They're a group of great, genuine people."
Earlier in February, Campbell emphasized those locker room traits for Donkoh, who is from Aldie, Va.
"You want to talk about who's the leader, he's the leader," Campbell said. "3.8 student, one of the best players here, has got a chance to be one of the absolute best players in our football program."
On the field, Donkoh's length is a significant selling point for Clanton. During his career, Clanton coached 2021 third-round pick Spencer Brown and 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning at Northern Iowa, along with 2025 fourth-round pick Jalen Travis.
Brown (6-foot-8), Penning (6-foot-7) and Travis (6-foot-8) all have a few inches on Donkoh, but Donkoh's arms — during his recruitment, his wingspan was reported to be nearly 7 feet — provides him with an advantage in the trenches, according to Clanton.
"As long as they have long wingspan, they'll be in a good spot, and they won't get out leveraged," Clanton said.
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Despite Donkoh's experience and status, there was still some uncertainty about how he fit into the offensive line puzzle with his versatility. Former Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, who now holds the same position at Florida, told reporters last season that he thought Donkoh's best position might be guard.
Donkoh believes that playing tackle will allow him to play to his strengths. Plus, there appears to be a ready-made spot for him on the right side of the offensive line. Coming out of spring ball, redshirt freshman Malachi Goodman (left tackle), redshirt junior Trevor Buhr (left guard), redshirt sophomore Brock Riker (center) and junior Cooper Cousins (right guard) all worked to solidify themselves at their respective spots.
And while redshirt sophomore Garrett Sexton and redshirt freshman Owen Aliciene all got extensive first-team work at right tackle, Donkoh would fit nicely atop the pecking order in that spot.
Donkoh profiles as a key building block for Penn State both on and off the field in terms of his leadership and his play. And beyond his time as a Nittany Lion, Donkoh looks the part of a potential NFL offensive tackle.
Clanton certainly sees a bright future for him playing on the edge.
"The guy loves football, but you could really see his body and the way his body was built, and it's like, everything about his body is a tackle body," Clanton said.
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Daniel Gallen covers Penn State for Lions247 and 247Sports. He can be reached at daniel.gallen@cbsinteractive.com. Follow Daniel on X at @danieljtgallen, Instagram at @bydanieljtgallen and Bluesky at @danieljtgallen.bsky.social.