Penn State Football’s Transfer Portal Activity: A Comprehensive Overview

With the arrival of new head coach Matt Campbell, Penn State football is in a phase of transition. The program has already signed just two players in the Class of 2026 during the early signing period, and the task ahead involves rebuilding the roster for the upcoming season. One of the most significant tools available to achieve this goal is the NCAA transfer portal. This system allows Penn State to potentially fill immediate gaps on the roster while also managing the possibility of some players exploring their options and leaving the program.

The transfer portal is officially open from January 2 through January 16, marking a critical time for Penn State as several players are expected to make moves. This dynamic environment could see both departures and additions, shaping the future of the Nittany Lions’ team.

Players Entering the Transfer Portal

Several key players from Penn State’s 2025 roster have entered the transfer portal, signaling potential changes in the program:

• Joey Schlaffer, a tight end, was the first player to make the move following the firing of James Franklin. He was removed from the roster in early November.
• Chaz Coleman, a defensive end, is one of the more notable names considering a transfer. As a four-star recruit, he could be heading to Ohio State.
• A.J. Harris, a cornerback, is entering the portal for the second time in his college career. He came to Penn State from Georgia and contributed to the pass defense.
• Kari Jackson, a linebacker, will look for a fresh start after battling injuries during his redshirt freshman season.
• Zuriah Fisher, an edge rusher, recorded 7 TFLs and 5.5 sacks over the past two seasons. His departure could impact the defensive line significantly.
• Anthony Ivey, a wide receiver, never managed significant playing time at Penn State despite being a four-star recruit.
• Keon Wylie, a linebacker, played a backup role and may seek more playing time elsewhere.
• Bekkem Kritza, a quarterback, is exploring transfer options amid interest in other quarterbacks like Rocco Becht.
• Kaden Saunders, a wide receiver, was a key commitment in Penn State’s Class of 2022 but struggled to find meaningful playing time.
• Xavier Gilliam, a defensive line player, has potential but may find better opportunities elsewhere.
• Anthony Specca, a linebacker, appears in 11 games and has three years of eligibility remaining.
• Luke Reynolds, a tight end, was Penn State’s fourth-leading receiver in 2025 and is a sought-after transfer target.
• Ethan Grunkemeyer, a quarterback, started the second half of the 2025 season and will explore his options.
• J’ven Williams, an offensive lineman, saw limited playing time in 2025.
• Jeff Exinor Jr., a wide receiver, previously committed to Penn State over Virginia Tech and Maryland.
• TJ Shanahan, an offensive lineman, transferred to Penn State a year ago and appeared in 12 games.
• Josiah Brown, a wide receiver, has been hampered by injury issues.
• Eagan Boyer, an offensive lineman, redshirted in 2024 and became a solid contributor in 2025.
• King Mack, a safety, returned to Penn State after a stint at Alabama.
• Lamont Payne, a safety, struggled to maintain time on the field.
• Cam Wallace, a running back, received limited playing time behind Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
• Jaxon Smolik, a quarterback, is the last remaining scholarship quarterback on the roster to enter the portal.
• Corey Smith, a running back, had limited opportunities but was expected to compete for a backup role.
• Sam Siafa, Owen Wafle, Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, DaKaari Nelson, Andrew Olesh, and Amare Campbell are all entering the portal with varying levels of experience and potential.

Players Leaving Penn State

Some players have already made their decisions to leave Penn State:

• Matt Henderson, a tight end, has transferred to Virginia Tech.
• Daniel Jennings, an edge rusher, has also joined Virginia Tech.
• Elliot Washington II, a cornerback, is moving to Clemson after initially committing to Alabama.
• Jaylen Harvey, a defensive player, is heading to North Carolina.
• Alex Birchmeier, an offensive lineman, is returning to play for Liberty in his home state of Virginia.

As the transfer window continues, Penn State fans will be closely watching which players choose to stay and which ones opt to move. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the shape of the Nittany Lions’ roster for the next season.