Penn State Football transfer named among nation’s ‘most impactful’
By Evan Smith
Penn State Football’s use of the transfer portal this offseason could prove critical to the Nittany Lions’ success this fall
ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren ranked the 50 most impactful transfers for the upcoming 2021 college football season and one Penn State Football addition himself on the list.
Arnold Ebiketie, who played the 2020 season for in-state ‘rival’ Temple, was listed as the 15th ranked transfer across the nation this year.
Ranking a defensive end this high could be a bit surprising to some, but keep in mind with both the first round selection by the Baltimore Ravens of Odafe (Jayson) Oweh and the Washington Football Team’s seventh-round selection of Shaka Toney (not to mention Shane Simmons forgoing his extra year of eligibility) this is clearly a position of need for the 2021 Nittany Lions.
Ebiketie was a second team All-AAC Selection, racking up 42 tackles (8.5 for loss) and three forced fumbles in just 7 games for the Owls last year. The Maryland native will likely slot as a starter opposite sophomore Adisa Isaac. Ebiketie was not offered a scholarship by the Nittany Lions out of high school and actually did not have a single power five scholarship offer back in 2017.
A surprise perhaps by not making the list would be the former Baylor running back John Lovett. While this may be a position of more depth for the Nittany Lions (with Noah Cain, Keyvone Lee, Caziah Holmes and Devyn Ford) backfield, Lovett averaged over five yards a carry for the Baylor Bears in his three year career and brings in some experienced carries.
The No. 20 ranked Nittany Lions open up the season at the No.15 Wisconsin Badgers on September 4th at 12:00 pm on FOX.
