Penn State Football: Transfer Portal Moves, NFL Draft Opt-Outs, and Matt Campbell’s Coaching Staff Taking Shape
Penn State wrapped up its regular season with a gritty road win over Rutgers in late November, and since then, the action hasn’t slowed down in Happy Valley. December has brought a wave of roster movement, NFL Draft declarations, and major coaching staff changes as new head coach Matt Campbell begins to put his stamp on the program heading into 2026.
Here’s where things stand with the Nittany Lions as of Friday:
Transfer Portal Buzz: Who’s Out, Who Could Be In
The transfer portal doesn’t officially open until early January, but the dominos are already starting to fall for Penn State.
- Chaz Coleman, a promising true freshman edge rusher, announced Thursday that he’s entering the portal. This is a tough loss for Penn State’s defense, as Coleman flashed serious upside in his first year on campus. Edge depth will be something to watch closely moving forward.
- On the flip side, Tellek Lockette is a name to keep an eye on. The veteran offensive lineman, who’s played at both Louisiana-Monroe and Texas State, is reportedly drawing strong interest from Penn State and Auburn. Lockette brings experience and versatility-two traits that would be valuable on a Lions offensive line that’s in transition.
- Elliot Washington, a third-year junior cornerback, also intends to enter the portal, per earlier reports. His departure adds another wrinkle to a secondary that’s already undergoing changes.
NFL Draft Opt-Outs and Senior Bowl Invites
As bowl season approaches, several key contributors have made their decisions regarding the Pinstripe Bowl-and the next chapter of their football careers.
- Vega Ioane, Penn State’s standout redshirt junior guard and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, is opting out of the bowl game to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Ioane is widely viewed as a potential first-round pick, and his absence will be felt on the interior line.
- Nick Singleton, one of the most electrifying backs in program history, is also skipping the bowl game. Singleton finishes his Penn State career ranked fourth all-time in rushing yards and as the school’s leader in rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns, and all-purpose yards. His legacy in blue and white is secure, and now he turns his focus to the draft.
- Zakee Wheatley, a fifth-year safety, and Zane Durant, a fourth-year defensive tackle, have both opted out of the bowl game as well. Durant has already accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, a chance to further boost his draft stock against top-tier competition.
- Other Senior Bowl invitees include defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, safety Zakee Wheatley, and offensive lineman Drew Shelton.
Matt Campbell’s Staff Taking Shape
Matt Campbell is wasting no time assembling his 2026 staff, and the early pieces reflect both familiarity and upside.
- Noah Pauley, who coached wide receivers at Iowa State, will take over the same role in State College. Pauley played a key role in developing standout Cyclones receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, both of whom are headed to the 2025 NFL Draft after breakout seasons. With Penn State’s wide receiver production lagging in recent years, Pauley’s arrival could mark a much-needed reset at the position.
- Jake Waters, another former Iowa State assistant, will serve as quarterbacks coach. Waters, a former Kansas State quarterback, has worked closely with Campbell and brings a strong developmental background to a young QB room.
- D’Anton Lynn, currently USC’s defensive coordinator and a former Penn State defensive back, is reportedly a top target for the defensive coordinator position. While nothing is official yet, Lynn’s ties to the program and his recent success make him a compelling candidate.
- Already announced hires include: Taylor Mouser (Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends) Ryan Clanton (Offensive Line) Deon Broomfield (Secondary)
- Terry Smith, who served as interim head coach following James Franklin’s departure, will remain on staff in 2026, though his exact role is still to be determined.
Here’s a look at the staff Campbell has assembled so far:
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Taylor Mouser | Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends | | Ryan Clanton | Offensive Line |
| Noah Pauley | Wide Receivers | | Jake Waters | Quarterbacks |
| Deon Broomfield | Secondary | | Terry Smith | TBD |
| Skip Brabenec | Chief of Staff | | Derek Hoodjer | General Manager |
| Aaron Hillmann | Director of Sports Performance Operations | | Brandon Pietrzyk | Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach |
| Trent Slattenow | Director of Player Personnel | | Jack Griffith | Recruiting Assistant |
Departing Coaches: Who’s Moving On
As Campbell builds his staff, several familiar faces are heading elsewhere:
- Phil Trautwein, the offensive line coach since 2020, is joining Florida’s staff in the same role.
- Jim Knowles, who served as defensive coordinator, is leaving for Tennessee on a three-year deal.
- Stan Drayton, the running backs coach, is headed to South Carolina, where he’ll also serve as assistant head coach.
- Ty Howle, tight ends coach, and Danny O’Brien, quarterbacks coach, are both reuniting with James Franklin at Virginia Tech, where Howle will be offensive coordinator and O’Brien will coach quarterbacks.
What’s Next
As Penn State prepares for its Pinstripe Bowl showdown with Clemson later this month, the focus is split between finishing strong in 2025 and laying the foundation for 2026. With high-profile opt-outs, a flurry of staff changes, and the transfer portal heating up, Matt Campbell’s first offseason in Happy Valley is already full throttle.
Stay tuned-this is just the beginning of a pivotal stretch for the Nittany Lions.