Penn State football's offensive line depth has taken another hit.
Sixth-year guard JB Nelson is no longer listed on the Nittany Lions' official roster, meaning he likely plans to enter the transfer portal when the spring window opens on Monday.
Nelson spent his first two seasons with Lackawanna Community College before transferring to Penn State. He played sparingly in 2022, appearing in four games in his first season in Happy Valley.
In 2023, Nelson saw a significant increase in playing time, appearing in 11 games, including making his first eight starts for the Nittany Lions. In 2024, he appeared in all 16 games, backing up right guard Sal Wormley. Nelson sustained injuries against Illinois on Sept. 28 and against Purdue on Nov. 16 but returned to action quickly.
With Wormley exhausting his eligibility after last season, Nelson was considered one of the favorites to earn a starting role, given he could beat out sophomore Cooper Cousins, who replaced him when he went down last season.
Nelson announced his return for a sixth season on social media on Jan. 15, but his move seems to signify he was passed up by Cousins and will look for a starting role at a different program next season with his final year of eligibility.
This comes after right tackle Anthony Donkoh, who was injured last season, and Nolan Rucci, who replaced him after the injury and played well in the College Football Playoff, weren't seen at practice. Donkoh is seemingly still recovering, while Rucci "just isn't available right now," per head coach James Franklin.
With the Nittany Lions' offensive line depth thinning, particularly on the right side of the line, the team will need to rely on its depth. Former 4-star and No. 1 prospect in Pennsylvania Jven Williams is a player to watch at right tackle, while Cousins, also the top Pennsylvania recruit in his class, appears to be in the mix at right guard.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State guard JB Nelson removed from team roster
