Penn State Football got some positive news on linebacker Tony Rojas' injury and his outlook for the 2025 College Football Season. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Penn State Football will be undergoing heavy roster changes as Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell and his staff take over in Happy Valley.
With the transfer portal set to open on January 2nd there will be several Nittany Lions who will stay in the Blue and White, several players transfer out of the the program , and several tranfer in to the Blue and White.
This article will be updated with every transfer portal confirmation in real time.
Penn State Football Transfer Portal Tracker
Transfer Portal Additions (35)
- TE Benjamin Brahmer (1/3) (Iowa State) – Brahmer announced his commitment to Penn State. The former Cyclone will follow Matt Campbell to play his final season in State College.
- OL Will Tompkins (1/3) (Iowa State) – Saturday night, former Cyclone, Will Tompkins announced his commitment to Penn State. Tompkins will have 4 years of eligibility left.
- S Marcus Neal Jr. (1/4) (Iowa State) – Neal announced his commitment to Penn State. The Safety was arguably the key to Iowa State’s defense. Neal will have 3 years of eligibility to play.
- TE Gabe Burkle (1/4) (Iowa State) – The Nittany Lions have landed their second transfer Tight End. Burkle comes over from Ames with one year of eligibility left.
- QB Rocco Becht (1/4) (Iowa State) – Penn State has found their 2026 Quarterback. Senior Rocco Becht announced that he will play his final collegiate season in the Blue and White.
- QB Alex Manske (1/4) (Iowa State) – Another Quarterback following Matt Campbell is redshirt freshman, Alex Manske. Manske will have 4 years left.
- WR Brett Eskildsen (1/4) (Iowa State) – Penn State gets another commitment from a former Cyclone. Wide Receiver Brett Eskildsen will play at Penn State. He has 2 seasons left.
- LB Caleb Bacon (1/4) (Iowa State) – Caleb Bacon has followed Matt Campbell over to Penn State. Bacon will have one year of eligibility remaining.
- RB Carson Hansen (1/4) (Iowa State) – Matt Campbell will bring in Running Back Carson Hansen. Hansen will have one year of eligibility left.
- OL Kuol Kuol II (1/4) (Iowa State) – Ohio native, Kuol Kuol will transfer to Penn State. The freshman will have 4 years of eligibility left.
- LB Cael Brezina (1/4) (Iowa State) – Penn State will be getting another transfer Linebacker. Cael Brezina will transfer into Happy Valley with 2 years of eligibility left. He and Caleb Bacon will look to replicate Amare Campbell’s production.
- OL Trevor Buhr (1/4) (Iowa State) – Trevor Buhr will take his talents to Penn State. The All Big 12 player will have 2 remaining years of college football.
- WR Karon Brookins (1/4) (Iowa State) – Penn State will get another Wide Receiver with serious upside. Brookins is a big bodied receiver who has 4 years of eligibility remaining.
- DT Alijah Carnell (1/4) (Iowa State) – The Nittany Lions will get former Cyclone, Alijah Carnell. Carnell brings three years of eligibility.
- WR Chase Sowell (1/5) (Iowa State) – Former Cyclone Chase Sowell has committed to Penn State. Sowell put up impressive numbers at both Iowa State, and East Carolina. He will have one final year of eligibility left.
- S Jamison Patton (1/5) (Iowa State) – The Nittany Lions have landed another former Cyclone. Safety Jamison Patton will have one year of eligibility left.
- CB Hunter Sowell (1/5) (Iowa State) – Younger brother of wideout Chase Sowell, Hunter will come to Happy Valley. He will have 4 years of eligibility left.
- WR Zay Robinson (1/5) (Iowa State) – Penn State lands their fourth Wide Receiver in 24 hours. Robinson is a young freshman with 4 years remaining.
- DT Keanu Williams (1/5) (UCLA) – The first non-Cyclone comes to Happy Valley. Williams played a lot of football at UCLA and will look to replicate his success at Penn State next year.
- OL Vaea Ikakoula (1/6) (Iowa State) – Penn State has landed another former Cyclone. Vaea Ikakoula has announced his commitment to Penn State. The freshman will have all 4 years remaining.
- DE Alexander McPherson (1/6) (Colorado) – The Nittany Lions have landed a very talented edge rusher from Colorado. McPherson will have 3 years remaining.
- DE Armstrong Nnodim (1/6) (Oklahoma State) – Penn State stays hot on the trail. Former Cowboy Armstrong Nnodim will bring his talents to State College. He will have 3 years of eligibility left.
- RB James Peoples (1/6) (Ohio State) – Former Buckeye James Peoples has transferred to Penn State. The Texas native will have 2 years of eligibility left.
- DT Dallas Vakalahi (1/8) (Utah) – The Nittany Lions have landed another defensive lineman. The former Utah player will have 2 years of eligibility remaining.
- S Omarion Davis (1/8) (Boston College) – The Nittany Lions have added to their defensive backfield. Davis will have three years left to play.
- DL Siale Taupaki (1/8) (UCLA) – Penn State has landed its second former UCLA Bruin. Taupaki will bring one final year of eligibility with him. The class of 2019 product has seen plenty of action in the last two years.
- CB Ibn McDaniels (1/9) (Syracuse) – The Nittany Lions have landed an in region Cornerback. Ibn McDaniels will have three years of eligibility remaining for the Penn State defensive back room.
- TE Cooper Alexander (1/9) (Iowa State) – Former Cyclone Tight End Cooper Alexander announced his commitment to Matt Campbell and the Nittany Lions. Alexander was a highly recruited prospect who will come to State College with three years of eligibility left.
- OL Brock Riker (1/10) (Texas State) – A little after midnight, Riker announced his commitment to Penn State. The freshman All American was highly coveted and will have 3 years remaining.
- S Chris Fileppo (1/10) (West Virginia) – Penn State has picked up a commitment from a Pennsylvania product. Fileppo played in all 12 games for the Mountaineers and will have three years remaining.
- DB Jeremiah Cooper (1/11) (Iowa State) – Another Cyclone set to join Matt Campbell in State College is defensive back Jeremiah Cooper. Cooper was highly productive and will have one year of eligibility left.
- P Nathan Tiyce (1/12) (Mississippi State) – Once again, Penn State will have a big punter. 6’5 Austrailian, Nathan Tiyce has committed to Penn State. Tiyce will have three years of eligibility left.
- WR Keith Jones Jr. (1/12) (Grambling State) – Wide Receiver, Keith Jones Jr. is slated to be a Nittany Lion. The Grambling State transfer will have three years of eligibility remaining.
- OL Tyshon Huff (1/12) (Tiffin) –Division two standout Tyshon Huff will take his talents to State College. Huff only let up one sack in 2025 and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
- K Cristiano Rosa (1/14) (James Madison) (Walk-On)
- DL Ikenna Ezeogu (1/14) (Iowa State) – One of Iowa State’s better defensive linemen, Ikenna Ezeogu will transfer to Penn State. He will bring one year of eligibility remaining.
Players Staying in Happy Valley (35)
- OL Cooper Cousins (12/29) – Cousins began his career in 2024 and has had 2 solid seasons. He took to social media to announce his return.
- OL Owen Aliciene (12/29) – Aliciene has drawn high praise in his freshman campaign. Retaining him is a big boost for the Offensive Line room.
- OL Anthony Donkoh (12/30) –Donkoh took to Instagram to announce that he is staying for the 2026 season. He is a 2 year starter and one of Penn State’s best Offensive Linemen.
- TE Andrew Rappleyea (12/30) –Rappleyea will return to Penn State. Following a season ending injury in 2024, Rappleyea bounced back in 2025.
- LB Alex Tatsch (1/1) – Tatsch is set to return in 2026. The freshman Linebacker flashed a lot and looks to continue the tradition or elite Linebacker play at Penn State.
- OL Garrett Sexton (1/1) – Sexton took to social media to announce his return. He is a talented freshman who projects as a key player down the road.
- DE Max Granville (1/1) – Granville sadly missed the 2025 season with an injury. However, the Texas native projected to be the next Penn State great on the edge. He will look to take that role in 2026.
- LB Tony Rojas (1/1) – Tony Rojas has announced that he will return to Happy Valley for his senior season. Rojas is arguably Matt Campbell’s top win for roster retention.
- CB Audavion Collins (1/1) – Collins will return to Penn State for 2026. The Mississippi State transfer has played a ton for Penn State and will have one final year.
- OL Chimdy Onoh (1/1) – Onoh announced that he will stay in Happy Valley. The class of 2023 star has provided good depth and will be a nice asset for Ryan Clanton going forward.
- CB Daryus Dixson (1/1) – After a very impressive freshman campaign, Cornerback Daryus Dixson will be staying in the Blue and White. Dixson should be the alpha Cornerback for years to come.
- WR Koby Howard (1/1) – Freshman wideout Koby Howard announced his return to Penn State. This is a huge win for Penn State as Koby Howard flashed with 7 catches in his freshman campaign.
- K Ryan Barker (1/2) – The sophomore’s announcement comes as a huge announcement for special teams stability. Barker had a great sophomore year.
- DE Yvan Kemajou (1/2) – The freshman standout Yvan Kemajou is set to return to Penn State in 2026. Kemajou has a super bright future as a Nittany Lion.
- S Vaboue Toure (1/2) – Toure will return to Happy Valley in 2026. The redshirt freshman will provide solid depth in 2026.
- RB Quinton Martin Jr. (1/2) – Martin will come back to Penn State. The redshirt freshman had a breakout game in the Pinstripe Bowl.
- TE Finn Furmanek (1/2) (Walk On)
- TE Brian Kortovich (1/2) – Kortovich is a current freshman who will return to Penn State in the Tight End room. He will look to keep developing.
- WR Peter Gonzalez (1/2) – Gonzales announced that he is coming back to Penn State. The redshirt freshman has 3 years left to play.
- DT De’Andre Cook (1/2) – Redshirt Freshman De’Andre Cook will be back in 2026. He provides key depth at a very thin position.
- DT Liam Andrews (1/2) – Andrews will return to the Blue and White. As a redshirt freshman, Andrews has battled injuries but will have an opportunity to step up in 2026.
- DE Mason Robinson (1/3) – DMV native, Mason Robinson will return to Penn State. The redshirt sophomore will look to breakout in 2026.
- CB Jahmir Joseph (1/3) – Freshman sensation, Jahmir Joseph will be coming back to Penn State next season. Joseph had a terrific freshman season and will look to build on that next year.
- CB Zion Tracy (1/3) – Zion Tracy is set to return to Penn State in 2026. Tracy is coming off of 2 productive years and will look to continue in his senior season.
- OL Dominic Rulli (1/3) – The highest graded Offensive Lineman from the Pinstripe Bowl is set to return. Rulli will have one final year of eligibility remaining.
- DT Tyriq Blanding (1/4) – Penn State gets a nice piece of the defensive line back. Blanding will have 2 more years left.
- OL Caleb Brewer (1/7) – Penn State will get another returnee in big man Caleb Brewer. He will have 3 years remaining.
- RB Cameron Wallace (1/10) – After entering his name into the portal, Wallace has decided to come back to Happy Valley. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
- DE Dayshaun Burnett (1/10) – The latest Nittany Lion to announce his return to Penn State is freshman Dayshaun Burnett. The class of 2025 product will have all four years left to play.
- LB Lavar Arrington Jr. (1/12) – According to the official updated Penn State roster, legacy Lavar Arrington Jr. is set to return to Penn State. Arrington will have three years of eligibility left.
- WR Lyrick Samuel (1/12) – Samuel is another freshman set to return to State College. Samuel will have four years of college football remaining.
- CB Xxavier Thomas (1/12) – Pittsburgh native, Xxavier Thomas will return to Penn State. Thomas will have four years of eligibility left.
- CB Joshua Johnson (1/12) – Penn State will be retaining Cornerback Joshua Johnson. Johnson was a hidden gem out of Ohio who has a bright future in Happy Valley. He will have four years of eligibility remaining.
- LB Cam Smith (1/12) – Cam Smith will return to State College for 2026. Smith is a redshirt freshman out of New Jersey who will have all four years of eligibility left.
- OL Donnie Harbour (1/12) – Offensive Lineman, Donnie Harbour is set to return to Penn State. Harbour will have all four years remaining.
Nittany Lions who have entered the Transfer Portal (47)
- TE Joey Schlaffer (11/5) – Schlaffer was the first portal entry for the Nittany Lions. He was seemingly buried on the Tight End depth chart and will have multiple years of elgibility left. (Temple)
- CB Elliot Washington (12/11) – Elliot Washington garnered a lot of buzz this offseason and has been a solid player for the Nittany Lions. He enters with one year of elgibility remaining. (Clemson)
- DE Chaz Coleman (12/18) – Chaz Coleman may be the least surprising portal entry on this list so far. The Ohio native had an awesome freshman season. Ohio State will set the pace for Coleman’s portal recruitment. (Tennessee)
- CB A.J. Harris (12/22) – Former Gerogia transfer A.J. Harris will play his final year of college football elsewhere. He was predicted to be Penn State’s first ever first round Cornerback taken. (Indiana)
- WR Aaron Enterline (12/23) (Preferred Walk On)
- LB Kari Jackson (12/23) – Michigan native Kari Jackson had a rough go of it at Penn State. His time was plagued by injuries. He will have 3 years left to play. (Toledo)
- DE Daniel Jennings (12/24) – Daniel Jennings originally was slated to be in the class of 2026. However, he reclassified to be a part of the class of 2025. The freshman kept his redshirt intact and will have 4 years of elgibility remaining. (Virginia Tech)
- DE Zuriah Fisher (12/28) – Zuriah Fisher started most of the year opposite Dani Dennis-Sutton. He logged a pretty quiet year for a starter and will take his talents elsewhere for his final collegiate season. (USC)
- WR Anthony Ivey (12/29) – Coming in in the class of 2022, Ivey had high hopes. However, he failed to truly crack the Wide Receiver room. Ivey enters the portal with one year of elgibility left.
- LB Keon Wylie (12/29) – Wylie was a sleeper pick to make an impact on defense this year. Unfortunately, he just never broke out. Wylie will have 2 years of elgibility at his next stop. (Virginia Tech)
- QB Bekkem Kritza (12/30) – Mike Yurcich’s handpicked class of 2025 Quarterback will enter the portal. Kritza will have 4 years left to play.
- WR Kaden Saunders (12/31) – Kaden Saunders is set to enter the portal. The 4 star receiver showed a lot of promise but struggled to stay healthy. (Southern Mississippi)
- DL Xavier Gilliam (12/31) – Redshirt freshman Xavier Gilliam will head to the portal. He stepped up and played good defense for Penn State in 2025. He will have 3 years of eligibility left. (Tennessee)
- DB Braz Thomas (12/31) – Thomas came to Penn State last season out of New Jersey. He will enter the portal with 4 years of eligibility remaining.
- LB Anthony Speca (12/31) –Pittsburgh native Anthony Speca will be entering the portal. The Linebacker will have 3 years of eligibility left. (Purdue)
- DE Jaylen Harvey (12/31) – Edge Rusher, Jaylen Harvey is slated to enter the portal. Harvey will find a new place with 3 years yet to play. (North Carolina)
- TE Luke Reynolds (1/1) – Former 5 star, Luke Reynolds will be hitting the portal. The talented Sophomore will have 2 years of eligibility left. (Virginia Tech)
- WR Jeff Exinor (1/1) – Freshman Jeff Exinor will enter the portal. He didn’t see any playing time in his first season as a Nittany Lion and will have 4 years of eligibility remaining. (Virginia Tech)
- OL TJ Shanahan (1/1) – Former Aggie TJ Shanahan will enter the portal. He only played one season for Penn State and will have one more year left elsewhere. (Florida)
- QB Ethan Grunkemeyer (1/1) – The redshirt freshman is set to enter the portal. After a successful 7 game campaign, Grunkemeyer will look for a new home. This likely means that Rocco Becht will be the starter for Penn State in 2026. (Virginia Tech)
- OL J’ven Williams (1/1) – Williams came to campus in 2023 as a 5 star prospect. He never saw much playing time and will transfer with 2 years left to play. (Charlotte)
- WR Josiah Brown (1/1) – Penn State Wide Receiver Josiah Brown will enter the transfer portal. Brown struggled to stay healthy and will have 3 years of college football left.
- OL Eagan Boyer (1/2) – As the transfer portal officially opens, Offensive Lineman Eagan Boyer will enter the portal. Boyer is a redshirt freshman who carries 3 years of remaining elgibility. (Florida)
- S King Mack (1/2) – Frankly, this one is a shocker. Mack played a lot of snaps in 2025 and talked as if he was completely locked in with Penn State. He will have his senior year left to play. (NC State)
- S Lamont Payne (1/2) – Payne enters the portal on the day it opens. The Safety from Pittsburgh will have 2 years of eligibility left.
- OL Alex Birchmeier (1/2) – Class of 2023 star Alex Birchmeier will enter the portal. The talented Offensive Lineman makes sense to go back down to Virginia. (Liberty)
- QB Jaxon Smolik (1/2) – Another Penn State Quarterback will hit the portal. Iowa native, Jaxon Smolik will enter the portal with 3 years of eligibility left. (Temple)
- RB Corey Smith (1/2) – Smith is set to enter the portal. Smith got significant run in the Pinstripe Bowl and will have 3 years of eligibility left.
- S Antione Belgrave-Shorter (1/3) – Belgrave-Shorter will enter the portal, he announced today. He started as the starting Safety, but didn’t play too much down the stretch. Belgrave-Shorter will have 3 years remaining. (Arizona State)
- LB Dakaari Nelson (1/3) – Dakaari Nelson has entered the transfer portal. After making the move from Safety to Linebacker, Nelson will have 3 years of eligibility left. (NC State)
- TE Matt Henderson (1/3) – Tight End Matt Henderson has entered the transfer portal. Henderson will have all 4 years of eligibility remaining. (Virginia Tech)
- DT Owen Wafle (1/3) – Former Wolverine, Owen Wafle will enter the portal. He will have 3 years of eligibility left. (Duke)
- TE Andrew Olesh (1/3) – A 5-star in the class of 2025, Olesh will enter the portal with 4 years of elgibility left. (Oregon)
- S Kolin Dinkins (1/3) – Redshirt junior Kolin Dinkins will enter the portal. Dinkins will have 1 year of eligibility left.
- LB Amare Campbell (1/4) – Former UNC transfer Amare Campbell will enter the portal. Campbell played very well in his one year with Penn State, but was unable to come to an agreement to stay. Campbell will have 1 year of eligibility left. (Tennessee)
- DT Kaleb Artis (1/4) – Class of 2022 product Kaleb Artis has entered the portal. He will likely have several years left after suffering injuries. (Temple)
- DB Kenny Woseley (1/4) – Class of 2024 product, Kenny Woseley has entered the portal. He will have three seasons remaining. (Virginia Tech)
- TE Brady O’Hara (1/5) – O’Hara was a class of 2025 prospect. The Tight End will have 4 years of college football remaining.
- DE Cortez Harris (1/6) – Penn State will lose a young defender to the portal. Class of 2025 product Cortez Harris will enter the portal with all 4 years of eligibility left. (Virginia Tech)
- DE Mylachi Williams (1/6) –Pennsylvania native, Mylachi Williams has entered the portal. He will have 3 years of college football remaining. (Virginia Tech)
- DL Randy Adrika (1/6) – A big bodied defensive lineman will be leaving State College. Adrika will have 4 years of eligibility left.
- S Dejuan Lane (1/6) – After indicating a return, Lane will enter the portal. The sophomore saw action both this season and last. (Tennessee)
- WR Tyseer Denmark (1/6) – After Denmark announced via X that he will come back to Penn State, he has now entered the portal. The former Oregon commit will have 3 years left to play. (Virginia Tech)
- RB Jabree Coleman (1/6) – The one time Georgia commit, Coleman will now enter the portal in hopes of finding a new home. He will have 3 years left to play. (South Carolina)
- OL Michael Troutman (1/7) – Freshman Michael Troutman will enter the portal. He will have 4 years of eligibility left. (Virginia Tech)
- WR Matthew Outten (1/8) – Penn State will be losing freshman wideout Matthew Outten. Outten was a one time Virginia Tech commit so a reunion with James Franklin would make sense. (Syracuse)
- DL Enai White (1/10) – After transferring into State College for a year, Pennsylvania product, Enai White will enter the portal. He will have one year of eligibility left.
- RB Tikey Hayes (1/10) – Originally it looked like Hayes was returning to Penn State. However, Pittsburgh native Tikey Hayes will enter the portal after his freshman season.
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Penn State Football Recruiting Analyst at NittanyCentral
Ian Purdy covers Penn State Football Recruiting for NittanyCentral.
Purdy was born and raised in central Ohio and served for four years writing for his high school's newsletter. Currently studying Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania, Ian has been a lifelong Nittany Lion fan.
Latest posts by Ian Purdy (see all)
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- Penn State Lands Talented Division Two Offensive Line Transfer - January 12, 2026
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