STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- On the day Michal Menet publicly chose Penn State in 2015, the Exeter Township standout was the 11th scholarship offensive lineman to commit to Penn State after James Franklin's arrival.
With the benefit of hindsight it took some recruiting misses to get to this unit that is slated to take the field this fall.
• Brendan Brosnan (Zero starts, Medical retirement from football in March 2017)
• Chance Sorrell (Zero career starts, Ended playing career, strength & conditioning intern with the team)
• Noah Beh (Zero starts, Transfered in March 2017)
• Paris Palmer (Former JUCO transfer who started at various points)
• Chasz Wright (Starter at RT)
• Sterling Jenkins (Redshirt junior who hasn't cracked starting lineup)
• Steven Gonzalez (Starter at LG)
• Kevin Reiner (Zero starts, Former graduate transfer)
• Ryan Bates (Starter at LT)
• Connor McGovern (Starter at C and previously G)
• Menet (Slated to start at RG)
It was an offensive line in need of a rebuild, one where highly touted players such as Menet would have to get on board with Penn State and develop physically and mentally into collegiate linemen. While many viewed Menet as a key piece to helping fix the line for the long haul, figuring out when he'd see the field wasn't as clear.
"I think everybody's journey is different into their starting role or throughout their career," Menet, a redshirt sophomore, said after the conclusion of spring practice. Menet took a redshirt as a freshman and contributed primarily on special teams last season.
"I'm grateful where I am now and I wouldn't change anything," he said. "I think I just needed a little bit more time to develop to get to where I am. I think that competition, though, has really driven me and made me a better player because I know I've got to have all of my ducks in a row every day in order to stay where I am."
Praised by Franklin as one of the team's most improved players during spring ball, Menet's time to step into a starting role looks like it's finally arrived. Penn State returns four starters along the offensive line from the Fiesta Bowl squad, plus tackle Will Fries gained valuable experience last season when Ryan Bates was injured. That leaves Menet as the leading candidate to start at the vacant right guard spot.
However, Franklin mentioned that the 6-foot-4, 301-pound lineman might have a future at center. Menet said he practiced at both spots this spring and is comfortable playing either position. Connor McGovern, who was part of the 2016 recruiting class with Menet, played guard as a freshman and slid inside to center last season.
"We think [Menet] has the ability to play all three inside positions, right and left guard as well as center," Franklin said. "We think he may have a really bright future at the center position as well with his quickness. So, he creates some flexibility, which is what we are trying to create throughout our program, guys that can play multiple positions, solve problems for us.
"But overall I have been very, very impressed with him, really since the end of the season. He has been much more durable. When he first got here he had little nicks and things like that, which was affecting his development. But he has been durable, he’s been really coachable and has made tremendous strides in a short period of time, so he’s going to have to continue in that path between now and camp."
The third season is one Franklin points to as the time when offensive linemen — or at least most of them — should be physically and mentally ready to contribute in regular roles. Redshirting is never easy for any college player, especially the highly touted ones, but Menet said everything that's led up to his breakout this spring didn't wear on his patience.
"It wasn't that bad," Menet said. "I know coming in I was a little bit light so I needed some time to put on weight and get a little bit stronger. Just everything has come together recently for me to get to where I'm at now."
It also helps that with Menet turning the corner, so too are those behind him. CJ Thorpe, coming off his redshirt season, was praised by the staff for his nastiness and finisher's mentality. There's position flexibility with McGovern, who could move back to right guard while Steven Gonzalez holds down the starting spot at left guard. The competition that lacked up front a few years ago is a thing of the past, a detail that makes Menet work harder to win a starting role.
"It’s awesome for me to see everything coming together," Menet said. "A big part of it is there is such competition in our group right now, so I think it kind of pushes everybody every day. I think that also has brought me to where I am as far as my technique. But it feels good to be that guy that, right now, is a part of the starting five."
