Downingtown West’s Drew Shelton has seamlessly filled the left tackle spot for Penn State

In the aftermath of Penn State’s resounding win over Boise State, left tackle Drew Shelton carried around a Fiesta Bowl sign, smiling widely amid the celebration with his teammates. The Nittany Lions’ offensive line had imposed its will yet again, but it was Shelton, working from the backside of a play, who helped spring running back Nick Singleton for a 58-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to help put the 31-14 win on ice.

Much of Penn State’s surge following the loss to Ohio State on Nov. 2 has revolved around the play of the offensive line. The Nittany Lions have rushed for 200 yards or more in three of their last four games, including 216 against the Broncos last week in their College Football Playoff quarterfinal. The physical mindset that Shelton and the rest of the Penn State offensive line play with has been emphasized by coach James Franklin, particularly this season in the offense’s adjustment to becoming more run-dominant.

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“Each and every week, Coach Franklin puts up our keys to victory, and no matter who we’re playing against, no matter what the game is, first game of the season or a playoff game, it’s always going to have ‘dominate the line of scrimmage’ on there,” Shelton said. “We kind of take that as a challenge, the offensive line, up front. We know that this team will go as far as we take them and just collectively coming together to spring our team forward.”

Shelton, a former Downingtown West star in his first season as Penn State’s starting left tackle, has been a consistent presence on the offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, Shelton has surrendered just two sacks across 462 pass blocking snaps, both coming against Southern Methodist on Dec. 21.

Shelton admits his preparation this season as “the guy” looks a lot different than years past.

“We always talk about preparing like you’re the starter, and everyone always tries to do that, but it is a little bit different when you know that you are the first guy out there,” Shelton said. “Just really refining my process of watching film and preparing and learning about the opposing defensive lines that we’re going against. Maybe asking a couple more questions during the week, that’s kind of what’s changed for me so far.”

Shelton came to Penn State as part of the 2022 recruiting class that has paid big dividends for its run to the College Football Playoff semifinals this season. Among the players in that class were quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Kaytron Allen and Singleton, wide receiver Omari Evans, and edge rushers Abdul Carter and Dani-Dennis Sutton.

Allar, Shelton, and offensive lineman Dominic Rulli have been roommates since the trio were freshmen. Aside from protecting his quarterback’s blindside this season, Shelton has developed a relationship with Allar off the field.

“Drew was one of the first people I met when I committed, and his mom was one of the first families that we really met in terms of my family,” Allar said. “We both have younger sisters, and they’re both named Ryan, which is not common, so that was kind of cool. I think we always kind of hit it off.”

A former high school tight end turned tackle, Shelton had big shoes to fill heading into the season. Although Shelton started four games as a freshman, he spent the majority of his first two seasons behind starter Olu Fashanu, a first-round draft pick by the New York Jets last April. Fashanu set the standard of consistency at the position, Shelton says.

But the 6-foot-5, 307-pound tackle has more than held his own this season, although he brings a different style of play to the position. Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein has been impressed with the junior’s play.

“Drew, to me, is a technician,” Trautwein said. “Drew has to overcome what Olu had, which is power and strength; Olu could stop a bull rush with one finger. Drew has to have his hands in tight and inside. Drew has to be able to be technically sound on every single play. … That’s kind of who Drew is. That’s why he was able to play at a high level. Because he might not be the most talented tackle in the country, but he’s probably the most technically, fundamentally sound.”

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Shelton said he tries to use “that little bit of athleticism [that I have] to help me get to my spot before the defensive end, and then use my feet to be able to stay in front of them from there out. I feel like, as an offensive tackle, you’ve got to have it. You’ve got to get out to your spot. Because those defensive ends, you know, you’ve got guys like Abdul [Carter] are running sub-4.4 [time in the 40-yard dash], they’re quick, so you’ve got to be able to get out there, have good feet, and just move and be able to stay in front of them.”

This week will be another stiff challenge for Shelton and the Penn State offensive line. The Nittany Lions (13-2) will face Notre Dame (13-1) in the Orange Bowl on Thursday (7:30 p.m., ESPN). Although the Irish defense ranks outside the top 30 nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (127.9), the unit, led by former Penn State letterman and Temple coach Al Golden, has shut down the rushing attacks of Indiana and Georgia in the College Football Playoff.

Shelton will likely be matched up with Notre Dame’s RJ Oben, who had a big strip sack late in the first half against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl that led to a touchdown. But Shelton’s teammates and coaches already have plenty of confidence in their standout left tackle.

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“Drew is just so consistent. His preparation [is] second to none; he works his dang tail off every single day in practice,” center Nick Dawkins said. “He puts in the extra work, treats his body properly, puts the right nutrition in.”

Added Trautwein: “He just continues to embrace his role, work on his technique, fundamentals, development, does a great job, and continues to get better every week.”