Three notable Penn State contributors who were out with injuries during spring practice are expected to return for preseason camp.
Anthony Donkoh, who started 10 games at right tackle this past year, and tight end Andrew Rappleyea have returned to work after each sustaining season-ending injuries in 2024. Tony Rojas, set to retain his post as a starting linebacker, is also back after undergoing offseason surgery to repair an unspecified injury.
“We expect all three to be fully cleared, not just for camp, but really for the majority of the summer, as well,” James Franklin told reporters on Thursday in the Lasch Football Building. “I don’t think all three of them, right now, are totally clear. They would have some limitations right now. But I would say if you guys came to a workout or watched them lift, you wouldn’t know.”
Donkoh’s reemergence would only strengthen an offensive line returning four of five starters from last season. He will enter a competition with Nolan Rucci in hopes of retaining his starting role. After Donkoh’s injury in November, Rucci replaced him and excelled in six starts, holding down the right tackle position throughout the College Football Playoff.
Rappleyea started alongside Tyler Warren in the Nittany Lions’ 34-12 season-opening win at West Virginia. That, however, proved to be his lone game appearance of the year after injuring his leg in the week of practice that followed. Rappleyea now has a chance to again compete for a starting role alongside Luke Reynolds and Khalil Dinkins.
Rojas’ return hardly comes as a surprise, but remains a significant development after he missed spring practice. He’s poised to return to the starting lineup alongside Dominic DeLuca, and should help North Carolina transfer Amare Campbell acquaint himself with Jim Knowles’ inaugural Penn State defense.
“There’s some modifications, either in the weight room or restrictions on the field,” Franklin said of his three returnees, “but all of them we anticipate being full go from Day 1 of training camp.”
