Penn State OL Alex Birchmeier to Enter Transfer Portal, Will Miss Pinstripe Bowl
Another name is on the move in Happy Valley. Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier is set to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal when it officially opens on January 2, according to his representation.
Birchmeier, a 6-foot-5, 312-pound interior lineman, saw action in 26 games during his three years at Penn State, though most of that came on special teams and in limited offensive snaps - just 34 total, including two this season. He won’t suit up for the Nittany Lions in the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl on December 27 against Clemson.
His departure marks the fourth for Penn State heading into the portal this cycle, joining defensive end Chaz Coleman, cornerback Elliot Washington II, and tight end Joey Schlaffer.
On Friday, Birchmeier shared a farewell message on Instagram, thanking the Penn State coaching staff, teammates, and the broader community for their support throughout his time in State College. He noted that after “careful consideration,” he’s decided to explore new opportunities and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Birchmeier arrived in 2023 as one of the crown jewels of Penn State’s recruiting class. A four-star prospect out of Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia, he was widely regarded as one of the top offensive linemen in the country.
According to the 247Sports Composite, he was the No. 1 player in Virginia, the No. 2 interior lineman nationally, and the No. 54 overall prospect in the class. At one point in the recruiting cycle, he was ranked as high as No. 14 overall.
His high school résumé came with plenty of buzz - and for good reason. He drew comparisons to Quenton Nelson, the former Notre Dame standout and seven-time Pro Bowl guard with the Colts. That kind of projection doesn’t come lightly, and it speaks to the physical tools and upside Birchmeier brought into college.
He was part of a loaded offensive line class for Penn State in 2023 that also included five-star J'ven Williams, Top247 talent Chimdy Onoh, and fellow four-star Anthony Donkoh. Birchmeier picked the Nittany Lions over a stacked offer list that included programs like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and LSU.
Even before Birchmeier’s decision, the offensive line room in State College was already bracing for a major reset. Of the five starters from this past season, three - left tackle Drew Shelton, center Nick Dawkins, and right tackle Nolan Rucci - are out of eligibility.
Left guard Vega Ioane is heading to the NFL Draft. That leaves Donkoh, the right guard, as the lone returning starter heading into 2026.
That group will now be coached by Ryan Clanton, who joins new head coach Matt Campbell’s staff after previously leading the offensive line at Iowa State. Clanton replaces Phil Trautwein, who spent six seasons at Penn State before returning to his alma mater, Florida, to coach under Jon Sumrall.
Birchmeier’s exit is another chapter in what’s been a rollercoaster year for the Nittany Lions. After starting the 2025 season ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll and opening with three straight wins, Penn State stumbled through a brutal stretch - dropping three consecutive games, including surprising losses to UCLA and Northwestern where they were heavy favorites. That skid led to the firing of longtime head coach James Franklin on October 12.
Interim coach Terry Smith took over and guided the team through another rough patch, including losses to then-No. 1 Ohio State and then-No.
2 Indiana. But the Lions rallied late, ending the regular season on a three-game win streak with convincing victories over Michigan State and Nebraska, and clinching bowl eligibility in a wild finale against Rutgers.
After an eight-week search, Penn State officially brought in Campbell on December 8. The 46-year-old spent the last decade at Iowa State, where he built a reputation for turning a historically struggling program into a consistent bowl contender. He finished his Cyclones tenure with a 72-55 record and eight bowl appearances in 10 seasons.
Next up for Penn State is a trip to Yankee Stadium for the Pinstripe Bowl, where they’ll face Clemson on December 27. Kickoff is set for noon ET on ABC.
As for Birchmeier, he now hits the portal as a big-bodied lineman with high-end pedigree and two years of eligibility - a combination that should draw plenty of interest from programs looking to bolster their trenches.