New transfer portal entry could be perfect fit for Penn State Football

Penn State Football has used the transfer portal to bolster its roster over the past couple of years. 

Penn State Football has been no stranger to the transfer portal this offseason, with four new roster additions coming via transfers.

A fifth could very well be on its way with Maryland defensive tackle Anthony “Tank” Booker entering the portal earlier this week as a grad transfer.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, Booker is exactly what the Nittany Lions are looking for in a defensive tackle addition. Penn State is trying to replace PJ Mustipher on the defensive line, and quite honestly, there is no perfect replacement for the big-bodied Mustipher on the roster.

After being a reserve for the first three seasons of his career, Booker broke out in 2022 with 27 total tackles, five TFLs, two sacks and two forced fumbles. This is production the Nittany Lions would take at defensive tackle.

Booker, a 3-star recruit in the 2019 cycle, is originally from Cincinnati, OH, making him a relatively local target for Penn State. If Booker wants to stay somewhat close to home, Happy Valley is an option.

It was around this time last year that Penn State added another key defensive line transfer from Maryland in Chop Robinson. Robinson flourished in Manny Diaz’s system this past season and maybe he can convince Booker that the same will happen for him in 2023.

Penn State Football currently only has two defensive tackles listed over 300 pounds on its roster. If it wants to stop run-heavy teams like Michigan, it needs to get bigger up front. Head coach James Franklin shared that sentiment after his team was ran all over by the Wolverines back in October.

With how loaded the roster is for Penn State in 2023, adding a veteran run stuffer like Booker may be the final piece to a special team.