As the NCAA Transfer Portal prepares to officially open on Friday, Penn State is already seeing some early roster movement. Three Nittany Lions - defensive end Zuriah Fisher, linebacker Keon Wylie, and wide receiver Anthony Ivey - are expected to enter the portal, marking the first wave of post-Pinstripe Bowl departures for James Franklin’s squad.
Let’s break down what each player’s exit means for Penn State and where things stand heading into a pivotal offseason.
Zuriah Fisher: A Veteran Presence on the Move
Fisher’s decision to transfer is one that carries some weight. The sixth-year senior was a key piece along the defensive line in 2025, starting 11 games and logging 438 snaps - the second-most among Penn State’s defensive ends.
His production was steady: 19 total tackles (11 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. While he didn’t suit up for the Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson, his impact across the season was clear.
Fisher’s departure adds a layer of uncertainty to Penn State’s defensive front. If he had returned in 2026, he likely would’ve been penciled in as a starter.
Instead, he’s exploring his options, and there’s a wrinkle in his situation: he’ll need a waiver to play a seventh collegiate season. Back in November, Fisher acknowledged he had an extra year of eligibility due to injuries that sidelined him earlier in his career, but he hadn’t committed to using it.
Originally a four-star recruit out of Aliquippa (Pa.) in the 2020 class, Fisher was one of the top defensive end prospects in the state - ranked No. 3 in Pennsylvania and No. 9 at his position nationally. Over 35 career games (11 starts), he totaled 41 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and a pair of impact plays in the form of a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Keon Wylie: Depth Piece With Upside Looks Elsewhere
Wylie confirmed his intention to enter the portal via Instagram, and his exit represents another hit to Penn State’s defensive depth. The redshirt junior linebacker played in 29 games over his career, including three starts, and was a rotational contributor in 2025. He logged 214 defensive snaps - third-most among Penn State linebackers - and finished the season with 28 tackles (16 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass breakup.
Wylie’s time in Happy Valley was also impacted by injuries, but when healthy, he showed flashes of being a reliable piece in the linebacker rotation. Over his career, he totaled 47 tackles (30 solo), 8 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
A Philadelphia native, Wylie came to Penn State as part of the 2022 class from Imhotep Institute. He was a three-star recruit, rated as the No. 15 player in the state and the No. 65 linebacker nationally. While he never quite carved out a starring role, he offered valuable depth and versatility - and now he’ll look for a bigger opportunity elsewhere.
Anthony Ivey: Former Four-Star WR Seeks New Start
Wide receiver Anthony Ivey is also expected to enter the portal, though he hasn’t made any public statements. Ivey saw action in 11 games this season, but all of it came on special teams - he didn’t log a single offensive snap in 2025 and didn’t record any statistics.
His overall offensive contribution during his time in State College was minimal: one catch for 15 yards over 23 games, with all 46 of his offensive snaps coming in 2024. Still, Ivey came to Penn State with plenty of promise. A four-star recruit in the 2022 class out of Manheim Township (Pa.), he was ranked as the No. 5 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 30 wide receiver nationally.
His limited usage suggests he never quite cracked the rotation in a crowded receiver room, but a fresh start could give Ivey a chance to reset and find a better fit.
What’s Next for Penn State?
These early departures are part of the natural ebb and flow of the modern college football landscape - especially in the portal era. None of the three were All-Big Ten performers, but each had a role to play, whether as a starter like Fisher, a rotational piece like Wylie, or a developmental player like Ivey.
The good news for Penn State? Offensive lineman Cooper Cousins has already indicated he plans to return for 2026, providing some early stability up front as the Nittany Lions look to reload and retool for another run next fall.
The portal officially opens Friday, and we’re just getting started. Expect more movement in the coming days - both out of and into Happy Valley.