Freshman expected to play a key role on Penn State’s offensive line

UNIVERSITY PARK (Nittany Nation) — Meaningful snaps for a true freshman offensive linemen is not the norm in college football, but Penn State feels good about the one they have, Cooper Cousins.

“A lot of guys say they want to play as true freshman, but they’re not willing to do necessarily what it takes,” Coach James Franklin said earlier this month.

On Monday, Franklin said he was prepared to burn the freshman’s redshirt as Cousins likely slots into Penn State’s offensive line rotation. He’s expected to play guard or even center for Penn State. An often rare feat for an 18-year-old freshman.

Senior offensive linemen Nick Dawkins lauded Cousins’ work ethic Tuesday, and said he’s earned every snap he gets.

“He’s somebody who came in extremely talented, physically pretty ready to go, which you don’t really see that for freshman offensive lineman,” Dawkins said. “And I think his work ethic matches that. And sometimes, like I tell him, ‘yo, calm down a little bit. You’re going to burn yourself out.’ But he puts the work in every single day and it’s amazing to see because he’s earned in every opportunity.”

“He is as driven and is as committed as a young player that I’ve ever been around and specifically on the O-line because it’s hard to play those grown man positions O-line and D-line as a true freshman,” Franklin said. “But he’s going to be hard to keep off the field.”

Cousins was named to the Sean Alexander watch list Wednesday, an award given out to the nation’s top first year player.

Franklin has alluded to using an eight or even nine man rotation on the offensive line this season. Cousins, along with Dawkins, JB Nelson, Drew Shelton, Vega Ione, Nolan Rucci, J’Ven William, Anthony Donkoh and Sal Wormley could all see significant action.

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