Zakee Wheatley Stayed Loyal to Penn State - And It’s Paying Off
In an era when the college football landscape is constantly shifting - with players jumping into the transfer portal and early NFL declarations becoming the norm - Zakee Wheatley chose a different path. The Penn State safety stuck with the Nittany Lions through thick and thin, and now, as he preps for the 2026 NFL Draft, that loyalty is starting to look like a smart bet on himself.
Wheatley arrived in Happy Valley back in 2021 as a four-star recruit out of Maryland, ranked No. 350 nationally. He redshirted his freshman year but still saw the field in four games - a glimpse of what was to come. Over the next four seasons, he became a fixture in the Penn State secondary, appearing in 54 games and growing into one of the defense’s most steady presences.
But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. The 2024 season gave Penn State fans hope, but it ultimately set the table for a disappointing 2025 campaign.
That kind of downturn can push players to reconsider their future - and Wheatley had options. He could’ve declared for the 2025 NFL Draft or tested the waters in the ever-chaotic transfer portal.
Instead, he doubled down on his commitment to the program.
“I had a chance to leave and hop in the portal,” Wheatley said. “We all know how crazy the portal is.
But I never did that. I had my loyalty to Penn State, to Coach Franklin, to Coach Terry Smith, Coach Anthony Poindexter, and I wouldn’t go back and change that for anything.”
That kind of statement carries weight - especially in today’s game. Wheatley didn’t just talk loyalty; he lived it.
And while his 2025 stats didn’t match the production from his standout junior year, his tape still tells the story of a player who can make an impact at the next level. In 2024, he racked up 96 tackles, four pass breakups, three interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and a sack - a stat sheet that shows his ability to be everywhere on the field.
The numbers dipped in 2025 - 74 tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass defensed, one interception, and one fumble recovery - but the context matters. The team struggled, and opportunities were harder to come by.
Still, Wheatley’s instincts and versatility remained evident.
What NFL scouts will see is a player who didn’t flinch when things got tough. He stayed, he worked, and he continued to develop. Now, with the Senior Bowl on deck and draft season heating up, Wheatley is in position to showcase the full scope of what he brings - not just the stats, but the intangibles that NFL teams crave.
“The amount of growth I had as a person, as a player, as a man, I just appreciate Penn State for that,” Wheatley said. “I’m forever blessed for that.”
That growth - on and off the field - is what teams will be evaluating. And for Wheatley, it’s the culmination of a college career defined by commitment, resilience, and a belief in the long game.
He may not have taken the flashiest route, but he took the one that stayed true to who he is. And now, he's ready to show the pros what Penn State already knows: Zakee Wheatley is built for this.