Penn State Dives Deeper Into the Transfer Portal
Penn State’s roster has undergone its fair share of change since the regular season ended. Despite saying multiple times that Penn State isn’t a “big” transfer portal team, head coach James Franklin has orchestrated a splashy offseason of additions that includes a pair of former No. 1 Pennsylvania prospects. There have also been more than a few impactful NFL Draft entries.
Penn State football received a bit of a buffer on the official transfer portal closure because of its late bowl game, but things are now closed to non-graduate transfers. Therefore, this look should be how things stay, at least until the end of spring practice. Let’s take stock on the roster’s current construction.
Who's new?
Wide receiver Julian Fleming (Ohio State): This was the big transfer move of January. Penn State and Franklin courted Fleming, the No. 3 overall prospect out of high school in 2020, as hard as anyone they’ve ever gone after. And he picked Ohio State. But after four years as a Buckeye, Fleming has come home and will suit up in the blue and white in 2024 for his final year of eligibility.
Fleming dealt with some injuries and had first-round talents like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. in front of him at Ohio State, leading him to a pedestrian 990 yards and seven touchdowns in his four years. It’s unrealistic to expect him to step into Penn State’s receiving corps and become the superstar who fixes all passing issues, but he’s a veteran presence, talented individual when healthy, and does a lot to impact the game outside of receiving like run blocking.
Offensive lineman Nolan Rucci (Wisconsin): There’s been a trend this offseason, in case you missed it. Franklin missed on Rucci in 2021, when he was the nation’s No. 16 prospect. But the player with Penn State alumni parents is going to continue his career in Happy Valley. Rucci’s transfer experience went very quickly, as he announced his commitment to Penn State just days after entering the portal. He redshirted and appeared in just six games over his three years at Wisconsin, so it’s another case where it’s smart to temper expectations down from his high-5-star potential. But Penn State is losing both starting offensive tackles from 2023, so Rucci has an opportunity.
Cornerback A.J. Harris (Georgia): Harris is one of two major defensive additions with Georgia experience. Another former 5-star by some services (247Sports’ No. 27 nationally in 2023), Harris fills an immediate need at cornerback for the Lions. Harris is great, too, because he’s only a sophomore and maintains multiple years of eligibility. In seven games as a freshman at Georgia, he made eight tackles. His size (6-1, 190) is one of his best assets.
Cornerback Jalen Kimber (Florida): Kimber marked the second SEC defensive back to transfer to Penn State. He’s a fifth-year player with starting experience at Florida (11 starts and 25 appearances over two years). Like Harris, Kimber began his career at Georgia, where he played sparingly after signing as a 4-star prospect. Kimber took the only interception of his career back for a touchdown and broke up six passes over the past two years. His numbers don’t pop off the page, but he’s another experienced piece to compete in the cornerback room while youngsters like Zion Tracy and Elliot Washington get up to speed.
Kicker Chase Meyer (Tulsa): After hitting the jackpot on one-year kicking rental Alex Felkins, Penn State dipped into the portal again with Meyer. He went 17-20 on field goals in 2023, including his career long of 47 yards, garnering All-AAC third-team honors. Meyer presumably will compete for Penn State’s starting spot with Sander Sahaydak, who actually beat Felkins out in training camp before losing the job early in the season.
Defensive end Jordan Mayer (Wisconsin): Mayer, a western Pennsylvania native, redshirted with the Badgers last season. He was a 3-star prospect out of Thomas Jefferson High and adds depth to an edge group losing two starters to the NFL.
Who's staying?
Outside of the transfer portal, Penn State has made de facto additions of high importance at defensive tackle and tight end. Linemen Dvon Ellies and Hakeem Beamon, both longtime contributors, are coming back in 2024 for one final year on one of the nation’s most stout defensive lines. Meanwhile, Tyler Warren will return on offense after leading the team with seven receiving touchdowns. Both positions had the potential to be major question marks this offseason, but they have quickly become strengths.
Other key returning Lions include offensive linemen Sal Wormley and Nick Dawkins, senior special teams captain Malick Meiga, linebacker Tyler Elsdon and defensive end Smith Vilbert, a sixth-year player who was missed the 2023 season due to injury.
Who’s out?
Simply put, Penn State is losing a lot of starting production in 2024. Ten starters from 2023 are headed to the NFL Draft, four on offense and six on defense (not including nickelback Daequan Hardy). A handful of reserve contributors have entered the transfer portal or declared for the draft, too.
Offensive line will be a key position to watch this offseason, with starting left tackle Olu Fashanu, center Hunter Nourzad and right tackle Caedan Wallace entering the draft. Rucci’s addition helps, but quarterback Drew Allar will have at least three new starters, inviting offseason scrutiny of the line.
Tight end Theo Johnson’s departure to the NFL marks the loss of a major leader and talented player, but the blow is deadened significantly by Warren’s decision. Third running back Trey Potts going to the draft isn’t as important, despite some good appearances from him, because Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen return. The same goes for wide receiver Dante Cephas’ decision to enter the transfer portal after a tough year adjusting to Big Ten play.
Defensively, there is some strain at corner and edge rusher with the departures of Kalen King, Johnny Dixon, Hardy, Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac. It’s not surprising to lose any of those guys, but it leaves questions nonetheless. Cam Miller (23 games in two years) will be tasked with helping the pair of transfers replace King, Dixon and Hardy on the outside and in the nickel.
There’s a lot more confidence in the other positions affected by departures. Dani Dennis-Sutton has been a starting-caliber defensive end, while the coaching staff is high on rising sophomore Jameial Lyons alongside the more experienced Amin Vanover. Curtis Jacobs leaves a hole at linebacker, but sophomore Tony Rojas's development relieves many of those concerns.
What’s next?
The major question remaining regards KeAndre Lambert-Smith, the team's leading receiver who has one season of eligibility remaining. Lambert-Smith caught a team-high 53 passes but only two in the last four games. The deadline for NFL Draft entry has passed, and Lambert-Smith is listed on Penn State's initial 2024 roster. His future in the offense will be a spring story line. Like many teammates, Lambert-Smith still could enter the transfer portal during the April window.
Finally, Penn State has a number freshmen on campus for winter workouts and spring practice. The 2024 class is deep in the trenches with some skill position players on both sides that could compete for early playing time.
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