Ranking Penn State's NFL Draft Departures From Least to Most Impactful for 2026

Eight Nittany Lions were picked in the 2026 NFL Draft, leaving several important lineup holes to fill.

Penn State running back Kaytron Allen runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Penn State had eight players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking the third time in five years that eight Nittany Lions were picked. That leaves plenty of holes for coach Matt Campbell to plug on the 2026 Penn State football roster.

We ranked Penn State’s eight draft departures from least to most consequential for the 2026 Nittany Lions. The results might surprise you.

8. Quarterback Drew Allar

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While perhaps the most high-profile departure, going to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Round 3, Allar isn’t the most impactful loss.  

Allar was undoubtedly one of the most talented quarterbacks in Penn State history, but his play in 2025 hurt the team more than it helped. The former 5-star quarterback averaged a career-low 183.3 passing yards per game and struggled with accuracy last season. 

The Nittany Lions arguably played better with backup Ethan Grunkemeyer at quarterback, albeit against easier competition. Penn State added one of the top transfer-portal quarterbacks this offseason in Rocco Becht, meaning the starting position is one of the strongest on the team. 

7. Running back Nicholas Singleton

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at SHI Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Singleton, selected by Tennessee in the fifth round, ended his Nittany Lions tenure on a rough note, posting career-lows in rushing yards (549), yards per game (45.8), attempts per game (10.3) and games started (4). The talent was always there, but the back lacked consistency from year to year, particularly with his vision and decisiveness.

Though he’s a threat removed from next year’s team, the running back position is one of the most easily replaceable in college football. The additions of Carson Hansen and James Peoples will alleviate the loss in production from Singleton. 

6. Defensive tackle Zane Durant

Penn State defensive lineman Zane Durant runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A fifth-round pick of Buffalo, Durant was regarded as one of the nation’s best defensive tackles heading into the 2025 season. He was tabbed a preseason All-American by several outlets after a dominant 42-tackle (11 for loss) season in 2024. 

However, Durant regressed in his senior year (4.5 TFLs) and wasn’t the force he was supposed to be on Penn State’s defensive line. While he certainly made an impact, one of the five defensive tackles the Nittany Lions earned commitments from in the transfer portal could replicate his 2025 production. 

5. Safety Zakee Wheatley

Penn State defensive back Zakee Wheatley runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Wheatley, a fifth-round pick of Carolina, was a staple in Penn State’s secondary for two seasons. He was a ballhawk, totaling four interceptions since 2024, a consistent tackler and strong in pass coverage. 

Penn State’s secondary will miss Wheatley, but Campbell added three talented safeties from Iowa State: Marcus Neal Jr., Jamison Patton and Jeremiah Cooper. Neal already is earning first-round draft grades for 2027. Safety is one of the Nittany Lions’ strongest rooms in 2026.

, so while losing an elite player in Wheatley hurts, it won’t make a huge impact on next year’s team. 

4. Running back Kaytron Allen

Penn State running back Kaytron Allen runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Allen was the last Penn State player drafted, in the sixth round by Washington, despite ending his career as the program’s all-time leading rusher. And he accomplished that despite being the bell cow back in only his senior season. Allen had a marvelous 2025 campaign, totaling 1,303 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

Allen quite literally was Penn State’s entire offense in 2025. When he was productive, so was the rest of the team. When he had a bad game (as he did against Indiana), the offense couldn’t find a rhythm. 

Penn State will feel the loss of Allen. However, Campbell made running back a portal priority and brought a new offensive system. The Nittany Lions should be just fine in that position. 

3. Left tackle Drew Shelton

Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Drew Shelton (66) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The departure of Shelton to Dallas in Round 4 is one of the most impactful due to his position’s importance. The Nittany Lions likely will start redshirt freshman Malachi Goodman at left tackle. His next live snap will be his first. 

Shelton started 28 games since 2024 and helped anchor a solid left side of the line. He had a strong season in 2025, allowing just one sack to Arvelle Reese, the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, and was trustworthy on Allar and Grunkemeyer’s blindsides. 

2. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton

Green Bay Packers defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (51) runs a drill rookie minicamp. | Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dennis-Sutton (Round 4 to Green Bay) was far and away the Nittany Lions best pass-rusher in 2025. Last season was truly the first when he owned that title, as he played alongside New York Giant edge rusher Abdul Carter the year prior. 

Dennis-Sutton posted 42 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 2025 while facing consistent double teams. He also made his mark on special teams with three blocked punts. He was one of the Nittany Lions’ best defensive players, and Penn State might need two ends to replace his production.  

He was a player opposing teams had to gameplan against. It’s hard to gauge if next year’s team has that kind of presence on the defensive line.

Offensive guard Vega Ioane

Penn State offensive lineman Vega Ioane runs a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ioane is the most talented and impactful of the bunch. And shockingly enough, he was the lowest-rated recruit of the eight players selected as 3-star recruit in the 2022 class.  

He was Penn State’s only first-round pick (to Baltimore at No. 14 overall) and for good reason. Ioane was as reliable as it gets up front. He did it all, whether it was pancaking defenders, protecting Allar or setting up the run game. 

Penn State will replace Ioane with honorable mention All-Big 12 guard Trevor Buhr from Iowa State. But it’s difficult to see him having the same impact as Ioane. 

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