What’s the top non-receiver Penn State football lingering question ahead of preseason camp?

Penn State football is amid the calm before the storm in the month of May. There are some things happening. The program’s coaching staff continues to hit the road recruiting during the spring contact period. Four players — receiver Peter Gonzalez , linebacker Anthony Speca , defensive end Mylachi Williams , and offensive lineman Caleb Brewer — who signed in the Class of 2024 arrive this weekend to start classes. And, the program is fresh off a major NIL event with Happy Valley United that was headlined by James Franklin, Saquon Barkley, and numerous past and current players.

By and large though, things are relatively quiet ahead of a massive recruiting month in June that will feature camps and visitors. Some commitments are possible, too, though most will happen the following month. Then, before we know it, Big Ten Media Days will be here in late July and August will bring preseason camp with it.

It makes now the perfect time to open up the Penn State mailbag. You can always submit questions for both this written version and the BWI Live show version on The Lions Den message board . Today’s topic is inspired by a recent ESPN article that asked what the top lingering question is for each top 25 team coming out of spring practice. Analyst Jake Trotter took the obvious route by asking who the top receiving options for Penn State will be. It’s obviously the biggest concern of all. But, it’s also a bit of a tired topic despite its importance. So, we’re taking a slightly altered track.

Today’s topic: What is the lingering Penn State post-spring question that doesn’t involve the receivers?

Before revealing our choice, let’s break down some options:

–Should Penn State feel good about its situation at offensive tackle? It’s replacing a first- and third-round pick, after all, with what will be a pair of first-time starters. Drew Shelton , the expected winner of the left side battle, had a planned absence from spring practice following offseason surgery. Anthony Donkoh , the likely first-team right side starter, was available for most of March and April but missed the Blue-White game. It led transfer add Nolan Rucci and swing man JB Nelson to lead the way in the spring scrimmage with plenty of reps for J’Ven Williams , as well.

–Do the Lions have enough linebacker depth? An already thin position from a numbers perspective following the move of Abdul Carter to defensive end took another hit now that redshirt sophomore Keon Wylie will miss “significant time” due to an undisclosed injury. The top of the positional grid looks fine, but there isn’t much wiggle room for any more losses.

–In a similar vein, does the post-spring departure of King Mack at safety mean Penn State has a depth issue at safety? As of this writing, the Lions have just six scholarship safeties on the roster with Class of 2024 signee Dejuan Lane set to enroll this summer.

–Is the kicking game going to be OK? Alex Felkins was underrated for the work he did as a transfer a year ago. Exiting spring, redshirt freshman Ryan Barker appears to have an edge over program veteran Sander Sahaydak .

More: Buzzworthy: Resetting the Penn State football linebackers room

Now, it’s time for an answer. While acknowledging that the linebacker depth chart presents a possible problem down the road, we feel good enough about it at the moment to cross it off the list of choices. The same goes for safety. It leaves offensive line and kicker as our top two to pick from. There has been so much positive buzz on Barker over the last few months to think that field goals and extra points will be in good hands. But, he’s never done it in a packed stadium during a pressure moment, either.

Up front, Andy Kotelnicki can create all the magic in the world, but if rushers are constantly finding the backfield, it won’t matter. If Shelton and Donkoh are both healthy and ready to go, Penn State will be good to go. But it’s depth is questionable at the moment. And, again, we’re just assuming two first-time starters will be ready to go for a full slate of games and not just incremental work like each, Shelton more than Donkoh, has received so far.

All told, it’s a very close call. We are going to go with the offensive line as the final answer, though. Besides two new starting tackles, Penn State also has a new starting center. The vibes around the blockers has been strong this spring. But, aside from receivers, its our biggest lingering concern entering preseason camp.

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