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By Tyler Erzberger
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The Penn State Nittany Lions want to make it back to the College Football Playoff after making it all the way to the semifinals last year before not even making the dance this campaign.
Following a downright frustrating year that saw proposed star QB Drew Allar struggle, then suffer a season-ending injury, and head coach James Franklin let go midseason, all eyes are on Penn State heading into the transfer portal.
With the signing of Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, the program is confident it can turn it around, but the question is: how quickly can it do so?
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A school that used to be a force on the recruiting trail with Franklin was the laughingstock of the recruitment season when their search for a new head coach coincided with one of the worst classes in the Power Four.
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Even before he coaches his first snap, Campbell will be under the microscope on how well he can do in the next 15-day period as the transfer portal officially opens. As we’ve seen teams move away from developing talent from high school to focusing on signing players, a strong transfer window can take any team from the bottom to the top of this new college football world.
It’s going to be difficult for the Nittany Lions, however, as they’ve already lost over a dozen players to the transfer portal leading up to its opening at midnight following the CFP quarterfinal matchups.
Penn State hasn’t only lost depth, but they’ve lost some of their best prospects on the entire roster, including a slew of four-star talent.
They’ve been particularly hit hard on the defensive side of the ball, with standout freshman EDGE Chaz Coleman intending to leave and Zuriah Fisher at the same position. A.J. Harris, a top-rated cornerback, is also exploring his options.
Campbell hopes the recent rumored signing of USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn can turn the tide as portal season begins.
The transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2, 2026.
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