After firing incoming Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin in October, the future of Penn State football was completely flipped upside down. It was no longer the number of graduating Nittany Lions being the main cause for concern.
While the team didn't sustain a ton of hits on the roster immediately after firing Franklin, hiring incoming head coach Matt Campbell is a trigger for many players who promised their loyalty if interim head coach Terry Smith got the full-time job.
With Campbell in place, shifts in Penn State's staff already occurred. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, offensive line coach Ryan Clayton, and secondary defensive coordinator Deon Broomfield followed Campbell to Happy Valley, causing exits from their respective counterparts from Franklin's staff. Defensive coordinator Jon Heacock is also reportedly joining his crew from Iowa State, pushing Jim Knowles out of the picture. As a result, Cyclones may be enticed to make the switch over to the blue and white as well.
Needless to say, there will be a lot of in-and-out from both programs. As for Penn State, there are a number of players Campbell should work hard to keep, but there are also Iowa State players he can continue developing and start the Nittany Lion rebuild with a solid foundation.
The Transfer Portal officially opens on Jan. 2, the only window for college football from hereon out. Penn State players already started declaring their intent on entering the portal after Franklin's firing and Campbell's hiring.
Here’s a look at Penn State’s 2025-26 Transfer Portal activity:
Recent Penn State Transfer Portal activity:
- Thursday, Dec. 11: Penn State cornerback Elliot Washington II declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Wednesday, Nov. 5: Penn State tight end Joey Schlaffer declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
Full list of outgoing transfers:
- Joey Schlaffer, TE, redshirt sophomore, 6'5" 250 lbs
- Elliot Washington II, CB, junior, 5'11" 200 lbs