In a Big Ten conference call Thursday, Penn State coach James Franklin detailed how the offensive line is shaping up so far this spring.

While the line has struggled the past two years — it allowed 83 sacks in that time — expectations are different for 2016.

Franklin has Andrew Nelson, a redshirt junior, penciled in at right tackle. Redshirt seniors Brian Gaia and Wendy Laurent are battling for center.

Redshirt freshman Ryan Bates, who has impressed at left guard, will be competing with redshirt senior Derek Dowrey, redshirt junior Brendan Mahon and redshirt freshman Steven Gonzalez for the two interior guard positions, according to Franklin. The coach also said Dowrey may have an edge over Mahon, who has missed a few practices.

Senior Paris Palmer is competing with redshirt sophomore Noah Beh at right tackle. Franklin said he's waiting for redshirt freshman tackle Sterling Jenkins to step up this summer and will be keeping an eye on freshman Connor McGovern.

Ddefensive end Garrett Sickels, a redshirt junior, said Bates, Gaia, Nelson and Dowrey have all stood out to him this spring under new offensive line coach Matt Limegrover.

"The way those guys have played with coach [Matt] Limegrover, and the confidence all those guys have," Sickels said. "They've been really, really impressive this offseason."

First Published: April 14, 2016, 6:02 p.m.