Penn State Football: Former Philly star an ideal fit in transfer portal
Penn State Football has been aggressive in the transfer portal all offseason and now a former Philadelphia standout could be the Nittany Lions next target
Going into the offseason coach James Franklin told the media that that defensive end and secondary were areas of need and would be positions Penn State Football would look to add to through the transfer portal.
Franklin delivered on that, adding Temple defensive end Arnold Ebiketie and South Carolina cornerback Johnny Dixon, however many believed safety was a position that could use a body.
The Nittany Lions have not shown much interest, at least on the surface on any safeties on the market, however that should all change now that West Virginia safety Tykee Smith has entered the portal.
Smith, a sophomore who has three years of eligibility remaining, was a standout performer for the Mountaineers last season with 61 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven pass breakups. His monster season led to him being named an AP Third Team All-American and was an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection as well.
The Philadelphia native is not just a one year wonder, he was productive in 2019 as well totaling 53 tackles, two and a half tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions to go along with six pass breakups.
It is clear from his stat lines he was the total package at safety and playmaker not only around the line of scrimmage, but in the backfield and in coverage as well. The five-foot-10 and 198 pound safety is exactly what the Penn State Football defense needs from playing alongside Jaquan Brisker on the back end of the secondary.
Smith is the second West Virginia defensive back to enter the transfer portal this offseason after the Mountaineers secondary coach bolted for a job at the University of Georgia.
The Nittany Lions did not have an offer out to Smith coming out of high school where he was a three-star recruit according to 247sports, ranked as the 526th best player in the 2019 class. He would not be the only transfer this offseason though however who did not previously own an offer from the Nittany Lions staff, as Arnold Ebiketie, Eric Wilson and Derick Tangelo did not either.
This could be a good chance for Franklin and his staff to further bolster ties to the Philadelphia area as it is always a prerogative of Franklins to “Dominate the State” in recruiting.
Franklin has seemingly hit a few home runs already in the portal this offseason, but this could be his biggest get to date.