Penn State earns transfer commits from Iowa State OL duo

2 days ago7 min read

Penn State’s offensive line rebuild just got a significant injection of talent and experience, securing transfer commitments from Iowa State offensive linemen Trevor Buhr and Kuol Kuol II. This move isn’t just about adding bodies; it’s a strategic, data-informed acquisition that addresses a glaring depth chart crisis following a wave of departures from Happy Valley.Let’s break down the analytics. Trevor Buhr arrives as a junior guard with immediate starting potential, a player who earned Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in 2025 while protecting the blind side of quarterback Rocco Becht—who, in a fascinating subplot, is also now a Nittany Lion.Buhr’s 247Sports transfer portal ranking as the No. 174 overall player and No.11 interior offensive lineman underscores his proven capability at the Power Five level; he’s not a project, he’s a plug-and-play asset who understands high-pressure conference play. His film shows a guard with excellent leverage and a nasty streak in run blocking, drawing comparisons to former Penn State stalwarts like Stefen Wisniewski in terms of technical polish and football IQ.Joining him is Kuol Kuol II, a former four-star recruit out of Ohio who retains four years of eligibility. While his portal ranking sits at No.477 overall, that number belies his long-term ceiling. As the No.29 offensive tackle in the portal, Kuol represents a high-upside developmental piece—a player with the raw athleticism and frame that offensive line coaches dream of molding. His journey mirrors that of many great linemen: a highly-touted high school prospect who needs the right system and coaching to unlock his potential.The masterstroke here, however, is the reunion with coach Ryan Clanton. The newly hired Penn State offensive line coach was the architect of the Iowa State line these two players developed under.This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a calculated recruitment leveraging existing relationships and schematic familiarity. Clanton knows their strengths, weaknesses, and how to integrate them seamlessly into his blocking schemes, drastically reducing the typical learning curve associated with transfers.From a broader program perspective, this double-dip from Ames signals Penn State’s aggressive posture in the transfer portal era. They are targeting specific needs with players who have existing chemistry with their coach, a strategy that echoes the roster-building efficiency seen in elite programs like Alabama and Georgia.The consequences are immediate: a depleted unit gains two battle-tested competitors, raising the floor of the entire offensive line room and creating intense competition for starting roles this spring. This move also fortifies the protection for a new quarterback, whether it’s Becht or another contender, and stabilizes the running game for standout tailbacks. In the grand chessboard of Big Ten football, where trench warfare dictates championships, Penn State just advanced two key pieces with a single, well-informed move.

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#Iowa State

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#college football

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#depth chart