There are several top defensive players Penn State Football head coach Matt Campbell must prioritize keeping out of the transfer portal. (Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images)
After 54 days, Athletic Director Pat Kraft finally found a new head coach for the Penn State Football team in Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. Widely regarded as one of the top coaches in college football for doing more with less, Campbell will now have elite resources at his disposal at Penn State.
However, after a search that fractured bits of the locker room in their very vocal support for Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith, Campbell will need to get to work quickly over the next three weeks before the transfer portal opens to retain as many pieces of the Nittany Lions’ 2025 roster that he wants for next season.
Keeping Terry Smith on board his new staff at Penn State should certainly help with that, and the NIL pool war chest at his disposal will certainly help as well.
The Top 5 Defensive Pieces Penn State Coach Matt Campbell Must Retain Now
Defensive End Chaz Coleman: The Ohio State Target
True freshman defensive end Chaz Coleman has been the buzz of the defense since stepping onto campus last summer.
A late riser in the 2025 class, Coleman was a massive recruiting win for the Nittany Lions as the Ohio State Buckeyes pushed late for his commitment.
While playing behind Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zuriah Fisher this season, Coleman has recorded eight tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in nine games this season.
Ohio State is likely to push for Coleman to jump into the portal after seeing him flash his high ceiling during his true freshman season.
Coleman was a four-star prospect out of Ohio in the 2025 class and ranked as the number 293 player in the nation according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
Defensive End Max Granville
The buzz that Coleman has created since coming onto campus somewhat overshadows how excited many fans were to see year two of Max Granville this season.
After an offseason injury, however, Granville will miss the 2025 season and will not have a chance to build upon his 2024 breakout campaign.
Although he will be recovering from an injury, Granville showed an incredibly high ceiling during his true freshman season and is a worth add to this list for a new coach to retain.
Granville and Coleman could become a dangerous pass rushing duo for the Nittany Lions if Matt Campbell can keep them both out of the transfer portal.
Cornerback Daryus Dixson: Terry Smith’s Connection
Now, interim head coach Terry Smith has never shied away from playing a true freshman at cornerback for the Nittany Lions if the player is ready to compete.
Daryus Dixson is the latest in a long line of true freshman corners to see meaningful snaps during their first season on campus. Dixson recorded 13 tackles, two forced fumbles, one sack, and a fumble recovery in his first year on campus.
Dixson was a four-star prospect out of California and ranked as the 112th overall prospect in the nation according to the 247Sports composite rankings in the 2025 class.
Keeping Terry Smith on board his staff could go a long way towards Matt Campbell being able to convince Dixson to stay.
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Defensive Tackle Xavier Gilliam: The Experienced Interior Need
In his redshirt freshman season, Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam pushed for starters’ reps and trended up this season.
Gilliam recorded 15 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a half a sack in 12 games in 2025. With Penn State losing both Zane Durant and Alonzo Ford this offseason, Gilliam would give the Nittany Lions a familiar face returning to the center of the defensive line.
Gilliam ranked as the 745 overall player in the 2024 class according to the 247Sports composite rankings as a three-star prospect out of Maryland.
Linebacker Tony Rojas: The Outspoken Leader, and Penn State’s Fastest Man
Another player who will be recovering from injury, linebacker Tony Rojas was breaking out to be a true star for the Penn State defense this season.
In four games before his injury, Rojas recorded 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, and defended a pass.
Last offseason, Rojas tested as one of the fastest players on the entire Penn State roster and showed plenty of improvement from his 2024 campaign after getting healthy after a surgery to clear up a nagging injury this offseason.
Rojas was also extremely outspoken on promoting Terry Smith to be the head coach, stating “Terry Smith or nobody else.” Smith staying on at Penn State could be the first step at rebuilding the relationship between Rojas and the Nittany Lions.
Rojas could be a leader for the 2026 Penn State defense if Matt Campbell can retain him this offseason. Rojas ranked as a top 100 overall prospect in the 2023 class as a four-star prospect out of Virginia.
Former Penn State head coach James Franklin certainly has the intention to bring over at least part of the Nittany Lions roster in the transfer portal this offseason.
Keeping Terry Smith on staff could be the start of keeping as many Penn State players on the roster and out of the transfer portal in January.
EXCLUSIVE: “Campbell Is the BEST Coach”—Why 4-Star Will Slagle Will Still Open Up His Recruitment
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