The transfer portal is open. Here’s who Penn State football could and should target
The transfer portal officially opened Friday and will remain open until the end of Jan. 16. That means players can formally enter in search of a new program, and that will undoubtedly include plenty of Nittany Lions.
Although the portal closes on Jan. 16, players do not have to decide on a new destination by then — and will be able to commit to a new school at any point. That being said, most players typically announce decisions around mid-January so they have time to enroll in their new schools for the spring semester.
With a new head coach in Matt Campbell, the Nittany Lions will have plenty of roster turnover and are also likely to bring in a good number of players from Iowa State, where he previously coached. Here’s who Penn State could target to add to its 2026 roster from the portal.
Quarterback
Key departures/portal entries: Ethan Grunkemeyer (portal)
Potential targets: Rocco Becht (Iowa State), Alex Manske (Iowa State)
There isn’t a more high-profile spot on the roster, and there probably isn’t a more straight-forward answer on whom the starter is likely to be for the 2026 season.
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht announced his intention to enter the transfer portal in December, and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t end up as a Nittany Lion. With starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer set to enter the transfer portal, the program will need a backup for Becht if he ends up joining. Iowa State freshman Alex Manske is one to watch as a potential addition.
Running back
Key departures/portal entries: Kaytron Allen (eligibility), Nick Singleton (eligibility)
Potential targets: Carson Hansen (Iowa State), Abu Sama III (Iowa State)
Penn State is losing its top two backs because they’re out of eligibility in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, making this a wide-open competition next year. Quinton Martin Jr. staked his claim to the job with a big performance in the Pinstripe Bowl and seems like he could stick with the Nittany Lions.
That’s true of freshman Tikey Hayes, as well, who could compete for snaps in his second year of college. There are Iowa State players entering the portal in Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III who would make sense, too. Either way, it seems Martin will firmly be in the mix to have a role next year no matter who the Nittany Lions add to their backfield this offseason.
Wide receiver
Key departures/portal entries: Kyron Hudson (eligibility), Trebor Peña (eligibility), Devonte Ross (eligibility)
Potential targets: KJ Duff (Rutgers), Brett Eskildsen (Iowa State), Chase Sowell (Iowa State)
This might be the position fans care about most heading into the offseason. Penn State’s three starters are out of eligibility, and this will be a spot Campbell can completely turn over this season.
Two Cyclones are worth watching in Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen, but there could be others from Iowa State that join as well. There are plenty of talented players in the portal at the position and some who have yet to declare their intentions (like Rutgers’ KJ Duff) who would be of interest to the Nittany Lions if they go in. Of returning players, wide receiver Koby Howard is the most notable of the group.
Tight end
Key departures/portal entries: Khalil Dinkins (eligibility), Luke Reynolds (portal)
Potential targets: Benjamin Brahmer (Iowa State)
Penn State got good news this week when Andrew Rappleyea announced he’d be back at tight end, but the departure of Luke Reynolds will leave plenty of reps if the Nittany Lions want to run a lot of two tight end sets — which they’re expected to.
The good news is that Iowa State’s Benjamin Brahmer is expected to enter the portal and is a high-level tight end. He would be a great get for the Nittany Lions to pair with Rappleyea next season and would excel in the Big Ten.
Offensive line
Key departures/portal entries: Nick Dawkins (eligibility), Vega Ioane (NFL), Nolan Rucci (eligibility), Drew Shelton (eligibility)
Potential targets: Trebor Buhr (Iowa State), Kuol Kuol II (Iowa State)
This is going to be an interesting spot, with Anthony Donkoh as the only returning starter up front. Cooper Cousins coming back will help fill one spot, but there are still three others to take up.
Iowa State’s Trebor Buhr announced he intends to enter the portal, which should fill a spot on the interior, leaving one interior spot and one exterior spot to fill. There are young players from Iowa State, like Kuol Kuol II, who could help long-term, but Campbell will need to find multiple offensive linemen in the portal to fill out the roster — even if a returner like Garrett Sexton steps up at tackle.
Defensive line
Key departures/portal entries: Chaz Coleman (portal), Dani Dennis-Sutton (eligibility), Zane Durant (eligibility), Zuriah Fisher (eligibility)
Potential targets: Horace Lockett Jr. (UCF), Alexander McPherson (Colorado)
Penn State got bad news when Chaz Coleman announced he was entering the portal, but the Nittany Lions were always going to have to turn over their defensive front with the departures of Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant.
They will need two new starting defensive ends and two new starting defensive tackles, but some of those spots will be filled from within — especially with DE Max Granville announcing he’s coming back after missing 2025 due to an injury. Horace Lockett Jr. from UCF could be helpful in the middle, while Colorado’s Alexander McPherson could help on the edge.
Linebacker
Key departures/portal entries: N/A
Potential targets: Oumar Diomande (UConn)
This is much less of a priority after Tony Rojas and Alex Tatsch announced their returns, but Penn State could still potentially try and add some depth. That being said, if the team’s young players come back — like LaVar Arrington II and Cam Smith — and if Amare Campbell returns, there may not be much of a need for more than one or two linebackers that can develop.
Cornerback
Key departures/portal entries: A.J. Harris (portal), Elliot Washington II (portal)
Potential targets: Tre Bell (Iowa State), Jontez Williams (Iowa State)
Penn State’s cornerback room should look a lot different next season with A.J. Harris and Elliot Washington II off to the portal. Audavion Collins and Daryus Dixson returning will help — especially Dixson, who might be the best young player on the team — but Matt Campbell will need to add corners.
There are intriguing options from Iowa State, like Jontez Williams and Tre Bell, but competition will be tough for players like them, especially Williams. This could be a position where Campbell goes outside of the Iowa State pipeline.
Safety
Key departures/portal entries: King Mack (portal), Zakee Wheatley (eligibility)
Potential targets: Tawfiq Byard (Colorado), Marcus Neal (Iowa State), Preston Zachman (Wisconsin)
Another spot with a big void with Zakee Wheatley exhausting his eligibility and King Mack entering the transfer portal. Dejuan Lane returning will help, but the Nittany Lions will need multiple additions to replace Wheatley and Mack.
The good news is one of Iowa State’s best defenders last season plays safety and intends to enter the portal. Marcus Neal was a true weapon in the back end for the Cyclones last season and would be following his position coach, Deon Broomfield, to Happy Valley if he chooses to do so. Outside of Neal, Colorado’s Tawfiq Byard, who went to high school in Maryland at DeMatha Catholic, and Wisconsin’s Preston Zachman, who went to high school at Southern Columbia in Pennsylvania, are both potential options to help fill the spots left by Wheatley and Mack.
