"Playing offensive line some places is like being a human shield...OR you could be the hammer."

After one of the stranger searches of the past decade, Penn State and athletic director Pat Kraft managed to land Iowa State's Matt Campbell as the new head coach of the Nittany Lions in a hire that has rejuvenated a fan base following the controversial early-season dismissal of James Franklin who was just months removed from leading Penn State to the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs.

Campbell put together an impressive 72-55 mark in his rebuild in Ames, missing a bowl game just twice while winning eight games or more five times. In the move to Penn State, Campbell brought a number of coaches with him including offensive line coach Ryan Clanton.

Clanton served as Campbell's offensive line coach with the Cyclones the past three seasons, helping the offensive line improve from 180 rushing yards per game in 2023 to 161 yards per game in 2024, with another jump to 174.5 in 2025 and during his time iwht the program they ranked among the top eight teams in college football at protecting the quarterback.

Speaking to reporters in a cutoff after spring practices yesterday, Clanton opened up about his offensive line philosophy.

"You've gotta be violent. You've got to want to be violent. You have to want to run through somebody's face."

"That's a big part about playing offensive line. At some places you're a human shield standing in front of the quarterback, or in front of the running back."

"OR, you could be the hammer. It's hard to explain sometimes, because when you have it, it's just everything that you do you have that mentality."

Clanton goes on to share that Malachi Goodman popped him in the chest during a drill yesterday doing some technical work, and he said he felt it in his back. That's the kind of punch a hammer brings to the offensive line spot.

Penn State ranked 50th in rush offense last year, finishing the season under interim head coach Terry Smith who has been a longtime Penn State coaching staff member and remains on staff under Matt Campbell as them corners coach.

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