Penn State Football Expected to Host Two Transfer Portal Targets at Positions of Need This Weekend
While Penn State Football is preparing for the program’s first-ever College Football Playoff game, the Nittany Lions’ staff has also been busy building the 2025 Penn State roster.
After the transfer portal officially opened last week Penn State coaches and staff have been busy looking through the portal for additions that make sense to improve the Nittany Lions roster in 2025.
At the opening of the portal window, Penn State Football head coach James Franklin said he is pushing the Nittany Lions’ staff to be “very aggressive” in the portal this offseason to add talent to help the Nittany Lions next season.
Now, one week ahead of Penn State’s game against SMU, Penn State is expected to host two transfer portal targets at positions of need for the Nittany Lions in 2025.
Penn State Football’s Transfer Portal Positions of Need
Penn State heads into 2025 expecting to need transfer portal targets along the defensive line, wide receiver, and potentially safety or linebacker.
However, the defensive line seems to be one of the most pressing needs for the Nittany Lions as starting defensive end Abdul Carter is most certainly off to the NFL after receiving high first-round grades and Smith Vilbert is out of eligibility at the position.
Opposing starting defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton also has an NFL decision to make.
Meanwhile, at defensive tackle, starter Dvon J-Thomas is out of eligibility after this season and opposite starter Zane Durant also has an NFL decision to make after a great 2024 season. Penn State will certainly push to add players at both defensive end and defensive tackle through the transfer portal.
Transfer visits this weekend
Penn State has been active early in the transfer portal, particularly along the defensive line. This weekend, Penn State is reportedly hosting three targets along the defensive line.
First, CBS’ Matt Zenitz reported that former Georgia and USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander will visit Penn State on Saturday.
Alexander played in three games this season, recording four tackles. In 2023, however, Alexander recorded 1.5 sacks, seven tackles for a loss, and 48 tackles in 13 games for the USC Trojans. Alexander has two years of eligibility remaining after playing for Georgia in 2022 and USC in 2023 (and redshirting this season at USC before entering the portal).
Second, Rival’s Richie O’Leary reported that former top 100 overall recruit Enai White out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has also scheduled a visit to State College this weekend. White has played in 13 games over three years at Texas A&M, recording two sacks, three tackles for a loss, and 11 tackles. White ranked 47th overall and second in the State of Pennsylvania in the 2022 class.
Last, ESPN’s Max Olson reported that Penn State will host Louisiana Tech defensive tackle David Blay this weekend. Blay was a standout at Louisiana Tech this season before entering the portal, recording 6.5 sacks, 11 tackles for a loss, and 62 total tackles in 12 games this season.
Penn State is also set to host FIU wide receiver Eric Rivers next week at another position of need.
Penn State will be very active throughout the portal window and will continue to schedule visits and try to lock down transfers along the defensive line, at wide receiver, and at linebacker and safety.
More Penn State News from NittanyCentral
- First Penn State Player Enters Transfer Portal
- Penn State Showing Interest in Top Transfer Portal WR
- Nittany Lions Standout Officially Declares for 2025 NFL Draft
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