With three starters off to pursue their NFL dreams, Penn State’s offensive line was going to be in a bit of a spotlight this spring. As Penn State opened spring football practices this week, head coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] offered an update on one potential starter for the 2024 season during his spring press conference.
[autotag]Drew Shelton[/autotag], entering his junior season with the Nittany Lions, was spotted this winter wearing a sling. When asked about his availability, Franklin confirmed Shelton is recovering from an offseason surgery and suggested his availability for the spring is unlikely.
“Drew did have surgery at the end of the season. It was one of those surgeries that he could get through the season with, but it probably made the most sense to get it done as soon as the season ended,” Franklin said during his spring press conference this week.
“Some guys decide to kind of play through those things for a number of years,” Franklin continued. “Some guys decide to get them done right away, and some guys decide to wait until right after the season. He decided to wait until right after the season.
Shelton is coming off a sophomore season that saw the Downignton West product appear in eight games on offense and special teams. As a true freshman in 2022, Shelton got a chance to appear in seven games, including five starts at left tackle in place of an injured Olu Fashanu.
“Right now, obviously we wish we had him, but I think long-term it will be in his best interest and our best interest as well, but we have a number of guys there that we feel good about,” Franklin said.
Penn State will wrap up spring football practices with the annual Blue-White Game in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 13.
Quotes provided by Penn State athletics.
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