Penn State transfer portal departure tracker: Which Nittany Lions are leaving?
The transfer portal is now open through the end of the day on Jan. 16 for all college football players.
Penn State is expected to have numerous players incoming and outgoing in this year’s portal cycle with a new head coach in Matt Campbell and its old head coach, James Franklin, at Virginia Tech, where he can potentially add former Nittany Lions to his roster.
Here’s everyone who has entered the portal from Penn State as of Jan. 15, according to multiple reports.
Check back for updates.
Outgoing
TE Joey Schlaffer
Signed: 2023 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Temple
Notes: Schlaffer became the first Nittany Lion to declare his intent to enter the portal and did so in early November. Schlaffer joined the program in 2023 but was unable to crack the rotation at tight end. The position was one of the most loaded at Penn State, and because of that he only recorded one catch for 19 yards and a touchdown in his career. That reception came this season against Villanova. Schlaffer will have two years of eligibility remaining.
CB Elliot Washington II
Signed: 2023 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Clemson
Notes: Washington confirmed his intentions to enter the portal on Dec. 11, and leaves after seeing a downturn in playing time late in the 2025 season. After being a contributor in his first two seasons and playing in 24 games, he was expected to take a leap on the field and become a solidified starter. Instead, by the end of the year he was a rotational piece who scarcely played, despite seeing action in all 12 games. Washington will have one year of eligibility remaining.
DE Chaz Coleman
Signed: 2025 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Tennessee
Notes: Coleman confirmed he would enter the portal Dec. 18, dealing the biggest blow yet to the 2026 Penn State football team. He’s an extremely high upside player at one of the most important positions on the field, and he excels at one of the most important skills in football — rushing the passer. Coleman leaving is a blow, though it isn’t entirely unexpected for a player who is from Ohio and is expected to draw plenty of interest from Ohio State. There’s no mincing words with this one — Penn State will be worse off without Coleman on its roster.
OG Alex Birchmeier
Signed: 2023 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Liberty
Notes: Birchmeier has struggled to crack the rotation for the Nittany Lions on the offensive line, and he was always a likely portal candidate because of playing time. He’s an interior offensive lineman who was a high-level recruit out of high school, but has struggled to make his mark with the Nittany Lions.
CB A.J. Harris
Signed: 2024 (4-star out of transfer portal)
Status: Committed to Indiana
Notes: Harris is leaving after an excellent 2024 season and an up-and down 2025 season. He was one of the best corners in the country after transferring in from Georgia in 2024, but struggled to keep up that level of play this year, with his playing time diminishing as a result. He was a five-star high school recruit in 2023, and has proven to have plenty of talent at the position, but leaving the program will likely end up being best for Harris, who is in need of a fresh start.
LB Kari Jackson
Signed: 2024 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Toledo
Notes: Jackson is set to depart after struggling to crack the rotation for Penn State at a position where the Nittany Lions needed a player to step up this season. He leaves after only two seasons and did not record any stats in his time with the program. It would not be a surprise if he transferred to a program where he could see more playing time in the immediate future.
DE Zuriah Fisher
Signed: 2020 (4-star)
Status: Committed to USC
Notes: Fisher is heading to the portal after six seasons at Penn State and is expected to receive an additional year of eligibility after battling injuries throughout his career. He tallied 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his time as a Nittany Lion, stepping in to a more prominent role this season as a starter at defensive end. He’s a good starting defensive end who should be able to find a landing spot where he can get plenty of time on the field next year.
LB Keon Wylie
Signed: 2022 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Wylie was a contributor at times at linebacker but was unable to take on a big role after the Nittany Lions lost Tony Rojas to a season ending injury ahead of the UCLA game. He was at his best rushing the passer, and tallied 4.5 sacks in his career because of that. He could fit as more of an edge rusher at his next school rather than linebacker.
WR Anthony Ivey
Signed: 2022 (4-star)
Status: Committed to San Jose State
Notes: Ivey had only one catch for 15 yards in his career and rarely saw playing time in his four seasons at Penn State, despite the Nittany Lions struggling to establish a high level of play at wide receiver. He was unlikely to contribute to the 2026 team had he remained with the program.
QB Bekkem Kritza
Signed: 2025 (3-star)
Status: In the portal
Notes: Kritza’s departure isn’t a surprise given how much development he needs in order to see the field. He has a very strong arm, but everything else has yet to come together for the freshman quarterback. He did not see the field this season despite several injuries in the Penn State quarterback room.
WR Kaden Saunders
Signed: 2022 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Southern Miss
Notes: Saunders leaves after four seasons that were marred with injuries at Penn State. He suffered multiple setbacks that prevented him from seeing the field and reaching his upside. He still has a chance to be a starter if he can stay healthy, and he should be able to go somewhere and can get reps right away as a slot receiver.
DT Xavier Gilliam
Signed: 2024 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Tennessee
Notes: Gilliam took on a bigger role this season and flashed as one of the team’s better young defensive linemen. He recorded a half a sack and a forced fumble this season, and was set to be one of the contenders for a starting spot on the interior of the defensive line next year. His departure may not see like a big deal on the surface, but Gilliam will have a chance to go elsewhere and take a big step forward in his third year of college.
S Braz Thomas
Signed: 2025 (3-star)
Status: In the portal
Notes: Thomas’ departure will likely be another one where he looks for additional playing time elsewhere. He has good size at 6-foot-2, but did not see the field much for the Nittany Lions in his one season on campus.
DE Jaylen Harvey
Signed: 2024 (4-star)
Status: Committed to North Carolina
Notes: Harvey was a contributor this season but was passed up by other young defensive ends on the depth chart. He recorded nine tackles and a sack for the Nittany Lions in a limited role, but still has plenty of upside to tap into in his remaining three years of eligibility.
LB Anthony Speca
Signed: 2024 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Purdue
Notes: Speca played in 11 games for Penn State this season, his second on campus, but was unable to earn a major role despite injuries and poor play being an issue at linebacker. He finished the year with six total tackles for Penn State and has three years of eligibility remaining.
OG TJ Shanahan Jr.
Signed: 2025 (4-star out of transfer portal)
Status: Committed to Florida
Notes: Shanahan was a starter for the Nittany Lions but struggled with consistency at times. He joined the program from Texas A&M after the 2024 season, and it would not be a surprise if he were a candidate to follow former PSU offensive line coach Phil Trautwein to Florida, where Trautwein now holds the same position.
WR Jeff Exinor Jr.
Signed: 2025 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Exinor departs after one season in which he redshirted for Penn State. He played in five games but did not record a catch for the Nittany Lions. Exinor has good size at 6-foot-1, 216 pounds and could develop into a starting receiver at his next destination if he refines his route running.
TE Luke Reynolds
Signed: 2024 (5-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Reynolds leaves Penn State after playing in 29 games in his two seasons with the program. He took a slight step back this year, struggling with drops, but remains one of the highest-upside tight ends in the country thanks to his athleticism. Reynolds started 11 games for PSU, totaling 35 receptions for 368 yards and a touchdown.
QB Ethan Grunkemeyer
Signed: 2024 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Grunkemeyer’s departure was expected, with his stint as a starter since the Iowa game proving he can continue to lead a team moving forward. With Penn State expected to add former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht, it makes sense that Grunkemeyer would want to go elsewhere to start after a season that saw him gradually improve and end with a big performance against Clemson.
OG J’ven Williams
Signed: 2023 (5-star)
Status: Committed to Charlotte
Notes: Williams was a five-star in-state recruit out of high school but was unable to make his mark in his three seasons with the Nittany Lions. He’s a high-level athlete who could end up as a starter elsewhere on the interior with his two remaining years of eligibility.
WR Josiah Brown
Signed: 2024 (4-star)
Status: In the portal
Notes: Brown redshirted for Penn State in 2024 and suffered an injury during the preseason ahead of the 2025 season. He did not record any stats in his two years with the Nittany Lions.
OT Eagan Boyer
Signed: 2024 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Florida
Notes: Boyer played in 12 games in two years and made his only start in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson, where he stepped up and showed he could be a starter at offensive tackle. He likely would have competed to start at one of the tackle positions for the Nittany Lions in 2026 had he stayed.
S Lamont Payne Jr.
Signed: 2023 (3-star)
Status: In the portal
Notes: Payne played in seven games in his three years at Penn State, and was unable to earn playing time as a special teams contributor for the Nittany Lions.
S King Mack
Signed: 2023 (4-star)
Status: Committed to North Carolina State
Notes: This is Mack’s third go-around with the transfer portal after leaving Penn State for Alabama after the 2023 season and then leaving Alabama for Penn State after the 2024 season. He developed into an important leader for Penn State after James Franklin was fired and was a good starting safety by the end of the 2025 season. He will be a major loss for the Nittany Lions if he does not return.
RB Cam Wallace
Signed: 2023 (3-star)
Status: Returning to Penn State
Notes: Wallace competed for the third running back job behind Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen this season, but did not have any carries when neither played in the Pinstripe Bowl. He had 18 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown in the 2024 season before suffering a long-term injury that ended his season.
QB Jaxon Smolik
Signed: 2023 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Temple
Notes: Smolik is the fourth and final scholarship quarterback to depart Penn State, joining Grunkemeyer, Kritza and Drew Allar — who exhausted his eligibility and will head to the NFL. Smolik competed with Grunkemeyer for the backup job behind Allar but ultimately lost out and had to battle through injuries during the season. He did not register a passing attempt in his three seasons at Penn State and leaves with two years of eligibility.
RB Corey Smith
Signed: 2024 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Toledo
Notes: Smith is the second running back to depart after Wallace, and he will likely head somewhere where he has a chance to get more playing time. Quinton Martin Jr. and Tikey Hayes both were likely to be ahead of him on the depth chart, and the Nittany Lions are looking to add more backs from the transfer portal.
S Antoine Belgrave-Shorter
Signed: 2024 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Arizona State
Notes: Belgrave-Shorter was in competition for the starting safety job this past season, earning it out of camp, but ultimately ceded the spot to King Mack early in the season. He was inconsistent at times and struggled in former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ defense. He recorded 20 total tackles in his two seasons with the Nittany Lions.
LB DaKaari Nelson
Signed: 2023 (4-star)
Status: Committed to North Carolina State
Notes: Nelson came to Penn State as a safety but moved to linebacker not long after his arrival. He was unable to earn significant playing time on defense, although he did play in 29 games and had one start in his three seasons with the Nittany Lions. Nelson finished his PSU career with 10 total tackles.
TE Matt Henderson
Signed: 2025 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Henderson played in five games in his only season with Penn State, preserving his redshirt and giving him four years of eligibility remaining. The Virginia native was near the bottom of the depth chart at tight end for the Nittany Lions. Following former head coach James Franklin to Virginia Tech could make sense for the freshman.
DL Owen Wafle
Signed: 2025 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Duke
Notes: Wafle spent one year at Penn State after transferring in from Michigan. He registered four total tackles in nine games played this season at defensive tackle. Notably, Wafle’s brother, Luke, is a five-star 2026 commit to USC and is one of the best high school defensive ends in the country.
TE Andrew Olesh
Signed: 2025 (5-star)
Status: Committed to Oregon
Notes: Olesh departs after redshirting in his lone season at Penn State and not contributing on the field for the Nittany Lions. When he committed in December 2024, it was a big recruiting win to land the five-star tight end over Michigan and others, but he was always going to take time to develop. Olesh will likely need to develop elsewhere to see the field.
LB Amare Campbell
Signed: 2025 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Tennessee
Notes: Campbell is departing after one year in Happy Valley when he stepped into a major role. He was the team’s clear-cut top linebacker once Tony Rojas suffered a season-ending injury and did his best to hold the position together. He’s slightly undersized but is a highly intelligent player who was always in position and consistently made plays for the defense. Not retaining him will hurt the unit.
DT Kaleb Artis
Signed: 2022 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Temple
Notes: Artis enters the portal after playing in 26 games in his career and having a limited impact in that time. He recorded seven total tackles and had 1.5 tackles for loss in that time, and missed the 2025 season due to an injury.
CB Kenny Woseley Jr.
Signed: 2024 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Woseley’s departure is a surprise after he was the team’s backup nickel corner last season. He’s the first cornerback to leave since Washington and Harris declared their intentions prior to the bowl game. He appeared in four games in 2024, preserving his redshirt, while playing in all 13 games in 2025, including earning one start.
OL Brady O’Hara
Signed: 2025 (3-star)
Status: In the portal
Notes: O’Hara was a project on the offensive line after playing tight end in high school. He will take some time to develop and will have all four years of eligibility remaining after redshirting in 2025.
DE Cortez Harris
Signed: 2025 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Harris was a high upside player in Penn State’s 2025 class but did not contribute much in his freshman season. He appeared in two games, preserving his redshirt, which will allow him more time to continue developing at his next destination. Harris has four years of eligibility remaining.
DE Mylachi Williams
Signed: 2024 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Williams did not play in his true freshman season in 2024 and appeared in four games this season. He recoreded his only career tackle in the season opener against Nevada. Williams will have three years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
S Dejuan Lane
Signed: 2024 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Tennessee
Notes: Lane is a surprise entry after previously indicating he would return to the Nittany Lions for 2026. He has appeared in all 29 games Penn State has played since he got to campus, including three starts this season when he rotated in heavily at safety. He leaves the program with one sack and one interception in his career.
DT Randy Adirika
Signed: 2025 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Adirika didn’t play in enough games to burn his redshirt, getting action in matchups against Nevada and Villanova. The Florida native will have four years of eligibility remaining.
WR Tyseer Denmark
Signed: 2024 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Denmark is another surprise entrant into the portal after initially saying he planned on staying with the Nittany Lions. He caught two passes in each of his two seasons with Penn State, totaling 28 yards in 2024 and 17 yards in 2025. He redshirted in his first season and will have three years of eligibility.
RB Jabree Coleman
Signed: 2025 (4-star)
Status: Committed to South Carolina
Notes: Coleman redshirted this season and was behind several running backs on the Penn State depth chart. He will have four years of eligibility remaining.
OL Michael Troutman III
Signed: 2025 (3-star)
Status: Committed to Virginia Tech
Notes: Troutman did not contribute to Penn State in 2025 and preserved his redshirt by doing so. He will have four years of eligibility remaining at his next destination.
WR Matthew Outten
Signed: 2025 (4-star)
Status: Committed to Syracuse
Notes: Outten had arguably the most upside of any of Penn State’s young receivers, though he will need refinement when it comes to his route running. He redshirted in his lone season with the Nittany Lions, which means he’ll have four years of eligibility remaining at his next program.
RB Tikey Hayes
Signed: 2025 (4-star)
Status: In the portal
Notes: Hayes, like Denmark and Lane, had declared his intentions to return before changing his mind and deciding to enter the transfer portal. Losing him could hurt the Nittany Lions down the road, but he was unlikely to be a major contributor in 2026. Hayes has four years of eligibility remaining.
DL Enai White
Signed: 2025 (3-star out of transfer portal)
Status: In the portal
Notes: White was a highly sought after player out of high school when he went to Texas A&M but returned to his home state when he joined the Nittany Lions last year. He moved from defensive end to defensive tackle in his lone season at Penn State, but did not make a big impact. He currently has one year of eligibility remaining.
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 11:28 AM.
