Penn State football hired defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn after defensive end Zuriah Fisher made it known he intended on entering the Transfer Portal. Fisher didn't participate in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson at the end of December and entered the portal when it opened on Jan. 2.
Tracking Penn State football’s Transfer Portal activity: Live updates
On Tuesday, Jan. 6, Fisher transferred to USC — a Nittany Lion Big Ten foe and Lynn's former team. He posted his announcement on Twitter/X that same day with a short, wordless caption. The peace sign emoji he uploaded with the picture of his Trojan signing could be taken as a slight jab at the blue and white. He didn't make any official announcement via Twitter/X when deciding on entering the portal.
— Zuriah Fisher (@Zfish84) January 7, 2026
Defensive end Zuriah Fisher transfers to USC for final collegiate season
Over Fisher's career as a Nittany Lion since 2020, he played in 35 games, 11 of which were starts in all of his 2025 season appearances. He registered 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and fumble recovery, one pass breakup, and one pass defended.
Fisher's best performance in 2025 came against Indiana in Week 11 in Penn State's 27-24 loss. He logged four tackles and 1.5 sacks, his highest of any game by a hair in the season.
Fisher was a four-star, No. 87 overall transfer and 13th-ranked edge rusher, according to 247Sports Transfer Rankings.
Since the Transfer Portal opened, head coach Matt Campbell and Lynn have done well picking up defensemen. However, they also endured major losses at edge. Alongside Fisher, Penn State lost Cortez Harris, Mylachi Williams, Jaylen Harvery, Daniel Jennings, and Chaz Coleman. Coleman is the latest Nittany Lion to transfer to Tennessee where Jim Knowles departed to.
Penn State's only addition at edge rusher is Colorado's Alexander McPherson.
McPherson was a three-star transfer and 55th-ranked edge rusher and 463rd overall player in the portal, per 247Sports Transfer Rankings. In 2025, the freshman played in nine games and logged 15 tackles. He also had a half-tackle for loss, a half-sack, and one block.
Campbell and Lynn