Penn State atones for portal miss by adding another former Cyclone to Matt Campbell’s roster

The transfer portal plan has been clear for Matt Campbell and general manager Derek Hoodjer in their first offseason at Penn State, and that’s to bring their Iowa State roster with them. So far, Penn State has added 31 players through the transfer portal so far, and 21 of them are former Cyclones, including their latest addition, cornerback Jeremiah Cooper. 

Penn State’s biggest miss from the 2025 Iowa State roster was Jontez Williams, who committed to USC. Williams is the top-ranked corner in Saturday Blitz’s transfer portal rankings, and though he has just one season of eligibility remaining, the redshirt junior was a massive get for the Trojans. Cooper, though, slots in at No. 5.

Cooper may not completely erase the memory of Williams choosing Lincoln Riley over Matt Campbell next season, but his arrival will certainly help. 

Penn State adds Iowa State CB Jeremiah Cooper

Cooper, like Williams, spent most of the 2025 season injured. The 6-foot senior defensive back played just 191 defensive snaps over four games before suffering a season-ending injury. He did, however, get off to a strong start to the year, and that was important as it was his first season as a full-time outside cornerback for Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock. 

It’s not yet known how Penn State DC D’Anton Lynn will utilize Cooper in his final year of eligibility, but his versatility will be a major asset. Throughout his career, Cooper has played 926 snaps in the slot, 568 as a box safety, and 244 at free safety. 162 of his 189 career snaps at outside cornerback came in 2026. 

Penn State could certainly use help at outside corner with the transfer departure of AJ Harris. But Daryus Dixson, a 2025 four-star, impressed in his true freshman season and could start opposite Audavion Collins, who is returning for his final season of eligibility. Zion Tracy, Penn State’s primary nickelback, is also expected to be back in Happy Valley for his senior season in 2026, so there could be competition for starting reps in the Nittany Lions' secondary next year. 

Cooper could also move to safety full-time because all three of last year’s starters at safety are leaving Penn State. Zakee Wheatley is out of eligibility and heading to the NFL, while Dejuan Lane and King Mack have both departed through the transfer portal, with Lane landing at Tennessee with Jim Knowles and Lane finding his way to NC State. 

Campbell has addressed the safety spot with the addition of Marcus Neal Jr., who was a star at safety for Iowa State, along with Jamison Patton, who played the second-most snaps at free safety for the Cyclones a year ago. The Nittany Lions have also brought in Hunter Sowell from Iowa State, Chris Fileppo from West Virginia at safety, and Ibn McDaniels from Syracuse at cornerback. 

The name of the game this time of year is to add talent to the roster. Campbell, Lynn, and the rest of the staff can sort out the depth chart later.