BREAKING: Penn State Lands Iowa State Transfer Safety Marcus Neal Jr. as Big Transfer Portal Win

Former Iowa State safety Marcus Neal Jr. has committed to transferring to Penn State Football for the 2026 season.

Neal Jr. was a standout under Matt Campbell in 2025 at Iowa State, leading the Cyclones with 77 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

From Ames to Penn State Football: A First Pillar of Campbell’s Rebuild

Neal’s 11 tackles for a loss ranked eighth in the Big 12 this season. The rising junior has played in all 25 games for Iowa State during his two year career.

Neal Jr. is slated to become an instant starter at Penn State next season after Zakee Wheatley’s departure for the NFL and King Mack’s decision to enter the transfer portal.

An Elite Run-Stuffer: Why Neal Jr. is the Nittany Lions “Box Safety” Weapon

Originally in the 2024 recruiting class, Neal Jr. ranked as the 33rd-best safety in the nation as a four-star player according to 247Sports rankings. In the transfer portal, Neal Jr. ranks as the 70th overall prospect and the number six safety available.

The reunion with Matt Campbell could pay dividends for Penn State’s defense in 2026. Neal Jr. is an excellent run defender who plays well in the box.

New Penn State defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn will have an elite weapon that can get after players in the backfield from the safety position in 2026. With King Mack’s decision to transfer, Penn State can pair Neal Jr. with Dejuan Lane or dip into the transfer portal for another starter at the position.

5 “Non-Cyclone” Transfer Portal Stars Matt Campbell Must Land for Penn State

Loved this story? Get all our Penn State football coverage and insider updates first. Join our FREE newsletter — your front-row seat to the Lions.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Robert Shields

Penn State Football Reporter at NittanyCentral

Robert Shields covers Penn State Football for Nittany Central. As a Penn State graduate, Robert has covered Penn State football since 2019, but had been a fan of the Nittany Lions for well over a decade. During his undergraduate education, Robert was a manager in the athletic department of a division III school, working in various aspects of athletic management at football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse games.

Latest posts by Robert Shields (see all)

• BREAKING: Penn State Lands Iowa State Transfer Safety Marcus Neal Jr. as Big Transfer Portal Win - January 4, 2026
• Penn State Transfer Portal: Ikaika Malloe and D’Anton Lynn Target “Bigger Bodied” DTs for 2026 - January 3, 2026
• Penn State Football’s Sleeper Transfer Portal Quarterback Target Revealed - January 3, 2026

About the Author

Robert Shields

Author

Robert Shields covers Penn State Football for Nittany Central. As a Penn State graduate, Robert has covered Penn State football since 2019, but had been a fan of the Nittany Lions for well over a decade. During his undergraduate education, Robert was a manager in the athletic department of a division III school, working in various aspects of athletic management at football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse games.

View All Posts