Transfer portal: Ranking Penn State Football’s dwindling DE options

James Sylvester 

James Sylvester entered the portal after his freshman season at Baylor in which he redshirted and did not see any game action.

Sylvester is a former four star recruit according to 247 and had big offers coming out of Newton High School in Newton Texas. Alabama, Georgia, LSU and FSU all were competing for his services.

The Texas native did not have an offer from Penn State football coming out of high school. Something in common we saw with three of the four transfers the Nittany Lions have brought in so far, a past connection with Franklin and the staff. Sylvester also brings an element of risk because we have not seen him suit up in a college game thus far.

With that being said, Sylvester is listed at an impressive six-foot-four and 243 pounds as only a freshman, and would bring with him four years of remaining eligibility to Happy Valley.

Players of that size don’t grow on trees and he would be a natural fit in Pry’s 4-3 defense as a defensive end with his hand in the ground. Sylvester is a high upside risk who at worst could provide depth at the position next fall.