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How many transfers will Penn State Football bring in?

By Alec Whitaker

Oct 1, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at the scoreboard during the first quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at the scoreboard during the first quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Football is expected to be aggressive in the transfer portal this offseason 

Penn State Football will definitely add through the transfer portal this offseason, but just how much it adds is the question.

The Nittany Lions likely need to add two wide receivers, a defensive tackle and it wouldn’t hurt to add to the offensive line and linebacker/secondary depth. That would mean Penn State would have to bring in five to six transfers.

Is bringing in six transfers realistic though?

Penn State brought in seven transfers back in 2021, but the 2021 recruiting class only had 17 signees, so the total number of scholarships brought in was 24. That is an average number of players brought in, so no problems there.

In 2022, Penn State signed 25 high school recruits and added three transfers for a total of 28. That number is a bit high, but the Nittany Lions had numerous players with eligibility remaining either declare for the draft or transfer out, which led to the extra room.

Now we arrive at the 2023 class. Penn State’s 2023 recruiting class has 19 commits. Even though there are only two weeks until the Early National Signing Day, the Nittany Lions are expected to add to this class. It would not be a surprise if this class reached 21-23 members.

So, how much room does that leave for transfers?

For Penn State to sign the current 19 members of the 2023 class, it means 19 players would have to leave the current team. Between seniors out of eligibility, Joey Porter Jr. declaring for the draft and transfers, 15 players are on the way out. That puts the 2023 scholarship count currently at 89.

There’s a group of players that still need to decide whether they want to come back next season or not. That group includes Curtis Jacobs, D’Von Ellies, Nick Tarburton, Adisa Isaac, Parker Washington, Brenton Strange, Bryce Effner, Juice Scruggs, Charlie Katshir and Jake Pinegar.

If half that group moves on, Penn State should be below the 85 mark.

While it’s hard to predict that a certain player will enter the portal, with how crazy it has been, it would not be a shock to see more Penn State players enter the portal in the coming weeks. If five more leave, Penn State should be in the 78-80 scholarship range.

Now, let’s take two away from this number. Chances are walk-on Dom Deluca will receive a scholarship thanks to his good play this season. Another walk-on may also be awarded a scholarship at some point.

That would give Penn State Football roughly five spots to work with between the 2023 recruiting class and the portal. Maybe the Nittany Lions decide to only add two more commits to the 2023 class, that would give at least three spots for transfers.

While the exact number of transfers that Penn State will bring in still isn’t clear, we can expect the Nittany Lions to bring in at least three transfers this offseason.

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