The transfer portal opened for business on Monday, and James Franklin has asked his Penn State staff to be “aggressive” and “make some decisions in positions that we think we’re going to have some needs.” The challenge for Franklin and the Nittany Lions is that the Big Ten Championship pushed them a week behind in evaluating their current roster.
“Typically when your season ends and you’re in that time getting ready for a bowl game, you have time to sit down with all of your players and find out what’s going on — who’s coming back, who’s considering going to the transfer portal, who is going into the transfer portal,” Franklin said on Sunday. “And a lot of those things impact your decision making on who you’re going to try to go out and get to replace those guys with.”
Franklin didn’t want to have these conversations in the week of preparation for Oregon. So, those talks will be had over the next few days. It’ll be a balancing act for the staff as they hold necessary discussions with current players, target transfers and prepare for a first-round College Football Playoff game against SMU.
What are some potential positions of need and who are some names the Nittany Lions could target early on?
WIDE RECEIVER
For a second consecutive year, wide receiver is at the top of Penn State’s list of needs. There have been flashes of potential from Harrison Wallace III and Omari Evans throughout the season, but the Nittany Lions remain without a clear top wide receiver target. And they’ll need one with tight end Tyler Warren, the team’s leading receiver, poised for the NFL Draft.
The portal has only been open for a day and a number of dynamic pass-catchers are already on the open market. NC State’s Kevin Concepcion, a sophomore this season who was named ACC Freshman of the Year in 2023, appears to be the top wide receiver available. Other names to watch for are Georgia Tech’s Eric Singleton, Florida International’s Eric River and Kentucky’s Dane Key.
SAFETY
With top safeties Jaylen Reed out of eligibility and Kevin Winston Jr. potentially set to enter the NFL Draft, Penn State could soon be in need of some depth and a veteran presence at safety. Zakee Wheatley is likely to return and help lead a young safety room with promising underclassmen such as Dejuan Lane and Vaboue Toure.
There’s no better safety available than Purdue’s Dillon Thieneman, who was named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year and earned All-American honors in 2023. North Dakota State’s Cole Wisniewski, an FCS All-American, Northwestern’s Devin Turner and South Florida’s Tawfiq Byard, who attended Penn State pipeline DeMatha Catholic in Maryland, could be other intriguing players.
DEFENSIVE END
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Abdul Carter is poised to become a first-round NFL Draft pick. That should make the Nittany Lions an attractive destination for transfer defensive ends, who could potentially also earn a starting role alongside possible returnee Dani Dennis-Sutton amid the impending departures of Carter and veteran contributor Smith Vilbert.
Purdue’s Will Heldt, who tallied five sacks and 10 tackles for loss this season, is likely the hottest defensive end on the board. Clev Lubin, a New York native who broke out with 9.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss this past season with Coastal Carolina, is another intriguing transfer Penn State could look to recruit.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Dvon J-Thomas is set to run out of eligibility and fellow starter Zane Durant could test the waters in the NFL Draft. And behind those two, Penn State is already thin on depth at defensive tackle after Alonzo Ford Jr.’s long-term injury. There are some young pieces like Xavier Gilliam and Ty Blanding who could earn promotions next year. But regardless, the Nittany Lions need depth.
USC’s Bear Alexander and Kentucky’s Keeshawn Silver appear to be the top tackles available thus far. But Cole Brevard, a former Penn State player, has also entered the portal after a strong year at Purdue. Could the Nittany Lions contact Brevard for a potential reunion? Welcome to the new age of college football.
QUESTION MARKS AT OTHER POSITIONS
Outside of the three sure-fire positions of need, the Nittany Lions could look to add some talent in other areas, depending on whether or not players on the current roster choose to enter the NFL Draft or transfer portal. These positions include, but are not limited to, quarterback and linebacker.
Drew Allar could benefit from another season of college football. His determination regarding whether to return to Penn State or enter the NFL Draft likely weighs on his projection. As of now, he’s not likely graded as a first-round talent. But a strong College Football Playoff could change that. If Allar does go, the Nittany Lions will be tasked with evaluating whether Beau Pribula or Ethan Grunkemeyer are good enough to replace him as a starter.
The Nittany Lions have struggled at linebacker throughout the year. Kobe King could enter the NFL Draft if he’s projected to be selected, but depth and durability next to and behind him has been a question mark all season. There are some promising players in Tony Rojas, DaKaari Nelson, Anthony Speca and Ta’Mere Robinson. But another veteran piece could help a room that mostly hasn’t lived up to its potential in 2024.
The running back position is intriguing, considering the looming NFL Draft decision from Nick Singleton and potential transfer-portal entrance by Kaytron Allen if he returns. But either way, Penn State appears to have a comfortable base at this spot with either as the lead back and a combination of production from Cam Wallace, Quinton Martin Jr. and Corey Smith.
