Penn State Football Transfer Updates: Analyzing the Nittany Lions' 2026 Roster

Penn State coach Matt Campbell embarks on building a new team team through the transfer portal in January.

Penn State Nittany Lions fans cheer before the White Out game vs. the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. | James Lang-Imagn Images

Penn State will be among the busier teams, both coming and going, through the hectic two weeks of transfer portal activity in January. Coach Matt Campbell and his staff have to replenish a roster that loses more than 30 seniors and a large collection of players to graduation or the portal.

Campbell has detailed his approach to the portal, which will benefit from a bigger budget at Penn State than he had at Iowa State. Still, the pace will be swift, as Penn State remakes its roster for Campbell's first season.

We're breaking down all the offseason transfer portal activity for the Penn State football program, covering every addition and departure, position-by-position impact, and what it means for the team's future.

Penn State lands first transfer

Iowa State Cyclones tight end Benjamin Brahmer makes a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars. | Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

He's from Iowa State, of course. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer became the first Cyclone to follow Campbell to Penn State, telling On3 of his decision Saturday. This was an expected but still important move for an offense that is losing five tight ends, four to the portal.

Brahmer, a Mackey Award semifinalist, led Iowa State with 37 receptions last season, working in an offense that valued his size (6-7, 255 pounds) and skilled hands. He was a major target for Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht and for teams in the portal. According to 247Sports, Brahmer was the second-ranked tight end and the No. 30 overall player in the portal.

Penn State's defensive line future returns

The portal has hit Penn State's defensive line hard, notably the edge rushers, four of whom intend to transfer. However, freshman Yvan Kemajou announced his return Friday, forming a positional foundation for new coordinator D'Anton Lynn.

Kemajou was one of two freshman edge rushers (with Chaz Coleman, who is transferring) to emerge for Penn State this season. While Coleman missed four games with an injury, Kemajou earned more and more playing time. He finished with five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, including a key stop against Rutgers.

As Campbell and Lynn rebuild the defensive line room, Kemajou (with three years of eligibility remaining) will be a cornerstone.

A potential leader returns to the portal

Penn State Nittany Lions safety King Mack (16) intercepts the ball during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Considering safety King Mack's comments before the Pinstripe Bowl, his decision to enter the portal Friday was surprising. Mack started eight games in the secondary and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten after making 58 tackles and an interception. Mack also showed explosiveness on kickoff returns, going 71 yards in the opener against Nevada.

Moreover, Mack sounded like he wanted to plant some roots at Penn State and with Campbell's staff. He began his career at Penn State in 2023, transferred to Alabama in 2024 andreturned to Penn State in 2025. He still could stay, though, particularly after what he said before the Pinstripe Bowl.

"Coach Matt Campbell plans on changing the culture," Mack said. "I feel like the plan that he has, it’s a great plan, and all we need to do is just have everyone buy in. [if] everyone buys in, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be where we supposed to be."

Penn State loses its starting quarterback

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer (17) celebrates after a touchdown pass during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

A huge move arrived New Year's Day, when quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer entered the portal. Grunkemeyer won four straight games as Penn State's substitute starter, playing a career game against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl, and sent some positive signals over the past few weeks about staying.

However, Grunkemeyer will test a portal crowded with quarterbacks, including fellow former Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula. Grunkemeyer will be appealing with three years of eligibility remaining and some showcase film over the past month.

RELATED: Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht is a perfect transfer prospect for Penn State

Penn State Nittany Lions Staying

Penn State Nittany Lions guard Anthony Donkoh hugs interim head coach Terry Smith as time runs short during the fourth quarter in the game against Michigan State. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This is a key category for Penn State, as it represents the success rate of Campbell's retention program. Several Nittany Lions have announced plans to return, notably tight end Andrew Rappleyea and offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh.

A two-year starter on the line, Donkoh will be Penn State's most experienced returning player. He can play tackle or guard and will be among Penn State's top NFL prospects in 2027. Meanwhile, Rappleyea announced his return after catching touchdown passes in his last three games, including the Pinstripe Bowl.

After missing the 2024 season with an injury, Rappleyea needed time to find his stride but was among Penn State's most important offensive players during the season's second half. Offensive lineman Cooper Cousins also announced plans to return and likely will be an interior starter next season. Garrett Sexton and Chimdy Onoh are among the five offensive linemen who have announced their returns.

With four receivers entering the portal, freshman Koby Howard returns as a player who should be one of Rocco Becht's favorite targets. Howard took a while to get onto the field and made just seven receptions but was tremendously productive, averaging 19 yards per catch.

After his breakout game in the Pinstripe Bowl, running back Quinton Martin Jr. returns with three years of eligibility remaining. Martin, who did not record a carry during the regular season, ran for 101 yards on 20 carries in the win over Clemson.

Defensively, the big news are the returns of two injured players, linebacker Tony Rojas and defensive end Max Granville. Rojas played in four games, and his absence was critical to midseason losses to UCLA and Northwestern. Granville lost a promising second season at Penn State because of a preseason injury.

Two key cornerbacks are returning, led by starter Audavion Collins. An honorable mention All-Big Ten defensive back, Collins started all 13 games and was a consistent defender. Freshman cornerback Daryus Dixson, recruited and coached by Smith, announced his return, likely due in part to the interim head coach. Sophomore safety Dejuan Lane also returns with two seasons of eligibility and a healthy dose of playing time in Penn State's secondary last season.

Campbell also retained kicker Ryan Barker, an underrated move of the portal season. Barker recorded the highest single-season field-goal percentage in Penn State history (94.7 percent) in making 18 of 19 attempts. He also led all FBS kickers in field-goal percentage and was perfect (6-for-6) from 40-49 yards. Barker has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Penn State Nittany Lions returning

Player	Position	Year
Cooper Cousins	Offensive lineman	Sophomore
Anthony Donkoh	Offensive lineman	Redshirt sophomore
Owen Aliciene	Offensive lineman	Freshman
Garrett Sexton	Offensive lineman	Redshirt freshman
Chimdy Onoh	Offensive lineman	Redshirt sophomore
Liam Horan	Offensive lineman	Redshirt freshman
Dom Rulli	Offensive lineman	Redshirt junior
Malachi Goodman	Offensive lineman	Freshman
Caleb Brewer	Offensive lineman	Redshirt freshman
Quinton Martin Jr.	Running back	Redshirt freshman
Tikey Hayes	Running back	Freshman
Koby Howard	Wide receiver	Freshman
Peter Gonzalez	Wide receiver	Redshirt freshman
Andrew Rappleyea	Tight end	Redshirt freshman
Brian Kortovich	Tight end	Freshman
Finn Furmanek	Tight end	Redshirt sophomore
Yvan Kemajou	Defensive end	Freshman
Mason Robinson	Defensive end	Redshirt sophomore
Max Granville	Defensive end	Redshirt freshman
De'Andre Cook	Defensive tackle	Redshirt freshman
Ty Blanding	Defensive tackle	Redshirt sophomore
Liam Andrews	Defensive tackle	Redshirt freshman
Tony Rojas	Linebacker	Junior
Alex Tatsch	Linebacker	Freshman
Vaboue Toure	Safety	Redshirt freshman
Daryus Dixson	Cornerback	Freshman
Audavion Collins	Cornerback	Redshirt junior
Zion Tracy	Cornerback	Junior
Jahmir Joseph	Cornerback	Freshman
Max Granville	Defensive end	Redshirt freshman
Ryan Barker	Kicker	Redshirt sophomore

Penn State's Transfer Portal Departures

Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris makes a tackle vs. SMU Mustangs' tight end Matthew Hibner in the 2024 College Football Playoff game. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Beyond Grunkemeyer, Penn State's most important portal departures have been on defense, led by freshman defensive end Chaz Coleman. The standout pass-rusher from Ohio, who played the position for just one season in high school, is the No. 1-ranked edge rusher and No. 4 overall player in the portal, according to 247Sports. A 4-star recruit in the 2025 class, Coleman is a 5-star portal prospect, according to the site.

Penn State lost two cornerbacks, including two-year starter A.J. Harris, who transferred to Penn State from Georgia. Elliot Washington II, a preseason projected starter who played a rotational role in the secondary, is leaving the Nittany Lions after three seasons.

Among the most interesting transfer decisions belongs to defensive end Zuriah Fisher, who spent six years at Penn State. Fisher was injured for two of those seasons and told 247Sports late in the season that he expects to have another year of eligibility for 2026. After missing the 2024 season with an injury, Fisher returned to start 11 games and total two sacks for the Nittany Lions.

Defensive end Jaylen Harvey, a redshirt freshman who played in the rotation with Fisher and started the Pinstripe Bowl, entered with three seasons of eligibility remaining. He made his first sack of the season in the bowl game.

Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam also represents a loss, particularly as he became a solid player in the Nittany Lions' rotation. Gilliam, a redshirt freshman, started the Pinstripe Bowl and played in every game this season.

Linebacker Keon Wylie, who took on a larger defensive role after Tony Rojas' early season injury, entered the portal with one year remaining. Wylie made his decision before Penn State officially hired D'Anton Lynn as defensive coordinator.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Anthony Speca, a 4-star prospect in the 2024 class, played in 11 games, making six tackles. Another linebacker in the portal is redshirt freshman Kari Jackson, who did not play after the opener against Nevada because of injuries.

Offensively, sophomore tight end Luke Reynolds is among the biggest names to portal after Grunkemeyer. Reynolds, who helped author the fake-punt conversion at Minnesota in 2024, played reduced snaps later in the season as Andrew Rappleyea took control of the position. Offensive guard TJ Shanahan Jr. is leaving after spending one season with the Nittany Lions; he transferred from Texas A&M last year,

Quarterbacks Jaxon Smolik and Bekkem Kritza entered the portal, completing the room's sweep. Smolik, a redshirt sophomore, struggled with injuries for two years. He missed the 2024 season with a preseason injury and did not play in 2025 after getting hurt at Iowa.

After one season on campus. Kritza was injured most of the year but was active for the Pinstripe Bowl. Former Penn State coach James Franklin liked Kritza's potential (he was a 3-star recruit out of Florida) but considered him a long-term project.

Running backs Cam Wallace and Corey Smith are in the portal after tracking behind Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton this season. Wallace, who returned from breaking both legs on a play against Kent State in 2024, played in just four games and just one after the Iowa game. Smith, who started the Pinstripe Bowl, played in six games, rushing 14 times for 30 yards.

Other offensive players in the portal include receivers Kaden Saunders and Anthony Ivey, offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier and tight end Joey Schlaffer, all of whom played reserve roles this season.

Penn State Outgoing Transfers

Player	Position	Year	New School
Chaz Coleman	Defensive end	Freshman
Zuriah Fisher	Defensive end	Sixth-year senior	USC
Jaylen Harvey	Defensive end	Redshirt freshman	North Carolina
Daniel Jennings	Defensive end	Freshman	Virginia Tech
Cortez Harris	Defensive end	Freshman
Mylachi Williams	Defensive end	Redshirt freshman
Xavier Gilliam	Defensive tackle	Redshirt freshman
Sam Siafa	Defensive tackle	Redshirt junior
Owen Wafle	Defensive tackle	Redshirt freshman	Duke
Kaleb Artis	Defensive tackle	Redshirt junior
Randy Adirika	Defensive tackle	Freshman
King Mack	Safety	Junior	North Carolina State
Dejuan Lane	Safety	Sophomore
Lamont Payne Jr.	Safety	Redshirt sophomore
Kolin Dinkins	Safety	Redshirt junior
Braz Thomas	Safety	Freshman
Antonio Belgrave-Shorter	Safety	Redshirt freshman
A.J. Harris	Cornerback	Junior
Karson Kiesewetter	Cornerback	Redshirt sophomore
Elliot Washington II	Cornerback	Junior	Tennessee
Kenny Woseley Jr.	Cornerback	Redshirt freshman
Amare Campbell	Linebacker	Junior
Keon Wylie	Linebacker	Redshirt junior	Virginia Tech
Anthony Speca	Linebacker	Redshirt freshman	Purdue
Kari Jackson	Linebacker	Redshirt freshman
DaKaari Nelson	Linebacker	Redshirt sophomore
Ethan Grunkemeyer	Quarterback	Redshirt freshman
Jaxon Smolik	Quarterback	Redshirt sophomore
Bekkem Kritza	Quarterback	Freshman
Cam Wallace	Running back	Redshirt sophomore
Corey Smith	Running back	Redshirt freshman
Jabree Coleman	Running back	Freshman
Luke Reynolds	Tight end	Sophomore
Joey Schlaffer	Tight end	Redshirt sophomore
Andrew Olesh	Tight end	Freshman
Matt Henderson	Tight end	Freshman	Virginia Tech
Tyseer Denmark	Wide receiver	Redshirt freshman
Anthony Ivey	Wide receiver	Redshirt junior
Kaden Saunders	Wide receiver	Redshirt junior	Southern Miss
Aaron Enterline	Wide receiver	Redshirt freshman
Jeff Exinor Jr.	Wide receiver	Freshman	Virginia Tech
Josiah Brown	Wide receiver	Redshirt freshman
Matt Outten	Wide receiver	Freshman
TJ Shanahan Jr.	Offensive lineman	Redshirt sophomore	Florida
Alex Birchmeier	Offensive lineman	Redshirt sophomore	Liberty
J'Ven Williams	Offensive lineman	Redshirt sophomore
Eagan Boyer	Offensive lineman	Redshirt freshman	Florida
Brady O'Hara	Offensive lineman	Freshman
Michael Troutman III	Offensive lineman	Freshman

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