Penn State Faces Roster Shakeup with 46 Players Departing via Transfer Portal
The winds of change are blowing through Happy Valley, and they’re not just ushering in a new head coach. As Penn State transitions into the Matt Campbell era, the Nittany Lions are experiencing one of the most significant roster overhauls in recent program history. A staggering 47 players entered the transfer portal during the January window - and when the dust settled, only one, running back Cam Wallace, chose to return.
That leaves 46 departures, a number that speaks volumes about the scope of the transition and the challenges Campbell inherits. It’s not just about losing bodies - it’s about the sheer breadth of the turnover. From quarterback to safety, the exodus touched nearly every position group.
Let’s break it down.
Quarterback Room Gets Thinner
The quarterback position took a noticeable hit. Ethan Grunkemeyer, a promising young signal-caller, is headed to Virginia Tech.
Jaxon Smolik will suit up for Temple, while Bekkem Kritza remains uncommitted. While none of these players were entrenched starters, depth at quarterback is always a premium in college football - and Penn State just lost three options in one swoop.
Running Back Depth Takes a Hit
Cam Wallace’s decision to return is a bright spot, but the backfield still took a hit. Corey Smith is off to Toledo, Jabree Coleman is bound for South Carolina, and Tikey Hayes is still weighing his options. These were young backs with upside, and their departures thin out what was once a deep and competitive room.
Wide Receiver Turnover Signals a Rebuild
Penn State’s wide receiver room is getting a full makeover. Six receivers are on the move, including Anthony Ivey (San Jose State), Kaden Saunders (Southern Miss), and Tyseer Denmark (Virginia Tech).
Jeff Exinor Jr. also joins the Hokies, while Matt Outten heads to Syracuse. Josiah Brown remains uncommitted.
That’s a lot of young talent walking out the door, and it leaves the Lions with major questions about who will step up on the outside.
Tight End Exodus Continues the Offensive Trend
The tight end group wasn’t spared either. Luke Reynolds and Matt Henderson are both headed to Virginia Tech, while Joey Schlaffer will join Temple and Andrew Olesh is off to Oregon. These are big-bodied targets who could’ve developed into key contributors - and now Penn State will have to reload at a position that’s been a strength in recent years.
Offensive Line Sees Key Young Pieces Depart
Up front, the offensive line saw a wave of young talent exit. Alex Birchmeier is off to Liberty, TJ Shanahan and Eagan Boyer are both Florida-bound, and J’ven Williams is heading to Charlotte.
Michael Troutman III joins the growing list of Nittany Lions transferring to Virginia Tech. Brady O’Hara remains undecided.
Losing this caliber of linemen - many of whom were blue-chip recruits - is a tough pill to swallow for a team that prides itself on building from the trenches.
Defensive Departures Just as Significant
It wasn’t just the offense that got hit. The defensive side of the ball was just as impacted - if not more.
Defensive Ends and Tackles on the Move
Penn State lost a wave of edge rushers, including Chaz Coleman (Tennessee), Daniel Jennings and Mylachi Williams (Virginia Tech), Zuriah Fisher (USC), and Jaylen Harvey (North Carolina). Cortez Harris also joins the Hokies. That’s a lot of pass-rushing potential gone in one portal cycle.
On the interior, Xavier Gilliam (Tennessee), Owen Wafle (Duke), Kaleb Artis (Temple), Randy Adirika (Virginia Tech), and Enai White (Oklahoma State) are all moving on. That kind of turnover up front is going to test the depth and development of the defensive line room.
Linebacker Corps Sees Five Depart
Linebacker is another area of concern. Kari Jackson is off to Toledo, Keon Wylie to Virginia Tech, Anthony Speca to Purdue, DaKaari Nelson to NC State, and Amare Campbell to Tennessee.
All five were young, athletic backers with upside. Replacing their speed and versatility will be a challenge for the new defensive staff.
Secondary Gets Hit Hard
The defensive backfield wasn’t spared either. Cornerbacks Elliot Washington II (Clemson), A.J.
Harris (Indiana), and Kenny Woseley (Virginia Tech) are all gone. At safety, King Mack (NC State), Antoine Belgrave-Shorter (Arizona State), and Dejuan Lane (Tennessee) have found new homes.
Braz Thomas and Lamont Payne remain uncommitted, but their status adds even more uncertainty.
What This Means for Penn State
This kind of turnover isn’t entirely unexpected when a new coaching regime takes over, especially in the transfer portal era. But the sheer volume - and the caliber of talent leaving - is noteworthy. Virginia Tech, in particular, has emerged as a landing spot for a significant number of former Nittany Lions, which could add an interesting wrinkle if the two programs ever cross paths again.
For Matt Campbell, the task is clear: rebuild the roster quickly, stabilize the locker room, and identify leaders who can help usher in a new era of Penn State football. The good news?
The portal works both ways. Expect Penn State to be aggressive in bringing in reinforcements.
But for now, the program is facing a reset unlike anything it’s seen in recent memory.