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 with Cyclones staff members following. As a result, Iowa State players 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, Jan. 1: Penn State wide receiver Jeff Exinor declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Penn State interior offensive lineman J'ven Williams declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Penn State interior offensive lineman T.J. Shanahan declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Penn State defensive lineman Samuel Siafa declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Penn State linebacker Anthony Speca declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Penn State edge rusher Jaylen Harvey declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Wednesday, Dec. 31: Penn State defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Wednesday, Dec. 31: Penn State wide receiver Kaden Saunders declares intent to enter the Transfer Portal.
- Tuesday, Dec. 30: Penn State quarterback Bekkem Kritza 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
- Chaz Coleman, EDGE, freshman, 6'4" 220 lbs
- Alex Birchmeier, OL, redshirt sophomore, 6'5" 304 lbs
- Anthony Ivey, WR, redshirt junior, 5'11" 191 lbs
- Keon Wylie, LB, redshirt junior, 6'2" 225 lbs
- Bekkem Kritza, QB, freshman, 6'5" 195 lbs
- Kaden Saunders, WR, redshirt junior, 5'10" 182 lbs
- Xavier Gilliam, DL, redshirt freshman, 6'2" 302 lbs
- Jaylen Harvey, EDGE, redshirt freshman, 6'2" 250 lbs
- Anthony Speca, LB, redshirt freshman, 6'2" 226 lbs
- Samuel Siafa, DL, redshirt junior, 6'4" 292 lbs
- T.J. Shanahan, IOL, redshirt sophomore, 6'4" 316 lbs
- Luke Reynolds, TE, sophomore, 6'4" 248 lbs
- Ethan Grunkemeyer, QB, redshirt freshman, 6'2" 207 lbs
- J'ven Williams, IOL, redshirt sophomore, 6'5" 319 lbs
- Jeff Exinor, WR, freshman, 6'1" 221 lbs