Penn State football: Team needs and transfer portal wishlist
By Josh Yourish
Cornerback
Cornerback was supposed to be an area of strength for Manny Diaz’s defense this season, but Kalen King did not have a good year. Regardless, King is likely off to the NFL and will need to be replaced. The same could go for Johnny Dixon who just finished his senior season but does still have eligibility remaining.
Despite King’s disappointing year and penalty that cost his team any chance of beating Ohio State, Penn State still ranked fourth in passing defense. That means, the Nittany Lions have a high standard on the outside and could use a veteran addition.
Even with Chop Robinson and Adissa Isaac moving on, Penn State will be strong at edge rusher with Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zuriah Fisher. The Nittany Lions are also set at safety with Jaylen Reed and Kevin Winston Jr. and we know that they’re fine at linebacker.
Franklin and Diaz could benefit from adding some size on the interior of the defensive line, especially after Michigan didn’t throw the ball once in the second half. Still, corner feels like the bigger position of need.
The cornerback market is thin to start the initial transfer-portal cycle, and it may still heat up later into December. These are two names that should catch James Franklin’s eye on the initial list.
Lee came into the season as a talented sophomore cornerback at Kansas State but fell out of favor with the coaching staff by the end of the season. In the regular season finale against Iowa State, Lee only played 17 total snaps.
He did give up some big plays at times with 17.7 yards per reception allowed, but he’s a true outside cornerback, which is something that Penn State’s safety-heavy secondary needs. He also finished the season with two interceptions and six pass breakups.
Alexander played his first snaps for Houston in 2023, his sophomore season. At 6-foot-3 195 pounds, he has the size that Penn State typically covets in cornerbacks. He could be a player that develops into the Joey Porter Jr. mold.
He only played 105 snaps, but was a four-star out of high school and the talent is still there. Alexander lined up at outside corner for 89 of those 105 snaps, so if he does stick, it’ll be at a position of need.