Phil Trautwein knows a good offensive lineman when he sees one, and Penn State freshman Cooper Cousins fits the mold. Trautwein played alongside all-time greats throughout his national-title winning career at Florida and in his NFL brief tenure. He sees similarities between Cousins and two of his most accomplished former teammates: Maurkice and Mike Pouncey.
“Both of them were great players, but they also had a great mindset, and that’s who he is, man,” Trautwein said on Thursday. “He’s relentless on the field, loves football. Football is his world. That was the Pounceys. He moves well, he’s a mauler. I think whenever I look at him, sometimes I think about the Pounceys.”
That’s a high bar for Cousins to live up to just two games into his college career. Maurkice was a nine-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection over a 10-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike appeared in four Pro Bowls over a nine-year career with the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.
The Pouncey twins defined themselves as two of the greatest centers of the century, and Trautwein, who has had a first-hand look at all three at the college level, has seen the same potential for mastery in Cousins. It says something that Cousins is already showing signs of greatness. The sky appears to be the limit for what he could become.
“He’ll be, very soon, one of our top five guys, because just the way his attitude is and who he is and and how he continues to progress and take coaching, he has a bright future,” Trautwein said. “So, I’m excited about being able to play him and continue to play him, and he’s embracing that role, and he continues to get better every day of practice. It’s awesome.”
Cousins is one of only three freshmen who have played for the Nittany Lions this season. With the opportunity for a blowout against Kent State on Saturday, Cousins could potentially see his most game action yet. Here’s a look at other notes on the rest of the offensive line and players who could be in for an increased role this weekend.
Other freshmen to watch
Cousins has made the most strides of any freshman lineman, but another pair could see the field if Penn State is able to dominate on Saturday: Eagan Boyer and Garrett Sexton. Boyer was highlighted last week by strength and conditioning coach Chuck Losey, who said the former three-star prospect is doing everything he needs to do to be a “big time player” down the road.
Boyer has gained over 40 pounds since joining the program in January, and now stands at 6-foot-8 and 283 pounds. Eventually, Losey said, Boyer will eclipse the 300-pound threshold.
“He looks good, he’s moving well, he’s working on his technique and fundamentals,” Trautwein said. “He’s working on his strength and all that stuff in the weight room. So he’s developing the way you want to develop, and it’s great to see.”
Sexton, a former four-star prospect, is still transitioning as a college lineman after playing quarterback for a portion of his high school career. He nursed an injury when he first joined the program, but is now “feeling better,” Trautwein said.
Filling the shoes of a first-rounder
It’s not easy to fill the shoes of a first-round NFL Draft selection, but that’s exactly what Drew Shelton’s been tasked with this season. Shelton has learned plenty since taking over as Penn State’s starting left tackle. He’s utilized the lessons taught by predecessor and current New York Jet Olu Fashanu, but, most of all, has played with the intent of being himself.
“You can’t ease into a game. A lot of the time last year, coming off the bench, I didn’t have to go from Rep 1, but coming in now and just being ready to play for 60 minutes and from Rep 1 to Rep 100, whatever it takes, just being the same guy each play,” Shelton said.
Does Penn State have two NFL guards?
The Nittany Lions have a dynamic duo at guard between Sal Wormley and Vega Ioane. Wormley could have entered the NFL Draft after last season, but decided to return for another year. He’s been a consistent blocking presence through two games. Meanwhile, Ioane is beginning to make a name for himself in his first season as a full-time starter.
“There’s not many people that are 350 pounds and can move like him. … His best football is still ahead of him, and he’ll continue to get better and better,” Trautwein said of Ioane. “He’ll be playing on Sundays one day.”
