Transfer portal on fire, but is James Franklin asleep at the wheel?

Isheem Young – Safety 

Committed to Ole Miss

Young was actually committed to Penn State Football coming out of Imhotep High School in Philadelphia … until he got into some legal trouble.

Because of that prior connection, it seemed this would be a player Franklin and staff would immediately move on but it seemed that oddly the Nittany Lions had no interest.

The lack of interest from Penn State Football is puzzling considering they are seeing safety Jaquan Brisker off to the NFL and Young would have been the ideal replacement. The Big 12 co-defensive freshman of the year in 2020, Young has tallied 110 tackles, three interceptions and five forced fumbles in two years at Iowa State.

Luckily for the Nittany Lions, safety Ji’Ayir Brown will be back in 2022, however, Young could have played Brisker’s role, playing near the line of scrimmage as a physical run defender who can also be a ball-hawking safety when need be.

Penn State Football’s defense struggled against the run in 2021 and will not be without seven starters from a year ago and will lack true impact players unless a few guys really step up. Young has proven he can be an impact player at this level, and will now take his talents to Ole Miss, a good get for Lane Kiffin.