Drew Shelton played 'really well' James Franklin says

On3 imageby:Nikki Chavanelle11/10/22

NikkiChavanelle

The Penn State Nittany Lions leaned on freshman offensive lineman Drew Shelton on Saturday versus Indiana due to injuries along the line. James Franklin praised his first-year player for his ability to step in and act as a Swiss Army knife in the team’s time of need.

“He played really well for a true freshman,” Franklin said on Wednesday. “We’ve been excited about him for a while. We think he’s a multiple-position guy. We think he can play tackle, guard, actually done some center as well. He’s a smart guy. He’s a mature guy. Picked it up fast. But he played well.

“Typically with offensive linemen, if you’re not talking about them, that’s a good thing. We’ve been very impressed with him. We’d still like to redshirt him if we could. I don’t know if that will be feasible.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

After making his debut in September and helping PSU in the Week 10 win, Shelton may burn his redshirt if he plays in the remaining three games this season.

Drew Shelton signed with Penn State in the 2022 signing class over Florida and many others. The Downington, Pennsylvnia native was the No. 131 recruit in the class and No. 10 offensive tackle, according to the On3 Consensus.

Franklin, Penn State grapple with OL injuries

Shelton started at left tackle for the injured Olu Fashanu, who is currently week-to-week, according to Franklin. The Nittany Lions are down both starters on the left side of the offensive line with left guard Landon Tengwall undergoing season-ending surgery.

On top of those injuries, Sal Wormley, starting right guard, left late in the game and didn’t return against the Hoosiers. Also, Hunter Nourzad, the backup left guard, saw one of his lowest rep counts of the season in Bloomington. He was rolled up on during the first offensive snap of the game.

Penn State’s injuries in the trenches and their impact on the team is not lost on Franklin.

“You hate these types of setbacks and disappointments. It is part of the game,” Franklin said. “We do seem to have a little bit more of them right now than we’ve had maybe in other years… I think it’s probably been understated by me.”

The Nittany Lions host 6-3 Maryland on Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff.