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Penn State 2026 transfer portal tracker: Tracking every transfer move
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- Penn State 2026 transfer portal tracker: Tracking every transfer move
After signing just two players in the Class of 2026 during the early signing period, Penn State and new head coach Matt Campbell have a good amount of work to do to build the roster for next season. The transfer portal could be a key part of the plan to build up the roster and fill some immediate gaps. Of course, Penn State is also expected to see some players opt to leave the program, or at least explore their transfer options, this offseason. It could be quite a busy time for the transfer portal in Happy Valley wiht players potentially coming and going during the flurry of roster moves.
We will be keeping track of every Penn State football player entering the NCAA transfer portal, as well as any players that ultimately transfer to Penn State from another program. Below is a list of every player from Penn State's 2025 roster who has entered the transfer portal and where they have transferred. We will have a separate tracker for players coming to Penn State as it becomes available.
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The NCAA transfer portal is officially open from Jan. 2 through Jan. 16.
For a full look at Penn State's transfer portal additions, check out our transfer commitment tracker . You can also check out our Class of 2026 tracker for more Penn State roster developments.
STAYING: Cam Wallace, Running Back
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Entered transfer portal:1/2/26
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New school: Penn State
IN PORTAL: Josiah Brown , Wide Receiver
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Entered transfer portal: 1/1/26
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New school:TBD
Penn State will have much work to do to restock at wide receiver as Josiah Brown became the latest name from the position group to test the transfer waters. Brown is a former three-star recruit in Penn State's Class of 2024 and has severely hampered by injury issues during his stay in Happy Valley.
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IN PORTAL: Tikey Hayes, Running Back
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Entered transfer portal: 1/11/26
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New school:TBD
IN PORTAL: Anthony Ivey, Wide Receiver
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Entered transfer portal:12/29/25
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New school:TBD
Penn State will likely be losing yet another four-star receiver to the transfer portal. Anthony Ivey, who was rated as a four-star wide receiver in Penn State's Class of 2022, is set to enter the transfer portal in hopes of landing a spot where he can shine. The Pennsylvania native never managed to win any significant playing time at Penn State in an offense desperate for big plays in the passing game. Ivey caught one pass for 15 yards during his time at Penn State.
IN PORTAL: Kari Jackson, Linebacker
Apr 26, 2025; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs with the ball while attempting to avoid a tackle from linebacker Kari Jackson (30) during the first quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The White team defeated the Blue team 10-8. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal:12/23/25
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New school:TBD
IN PORTAL: Bekkem Kritza, Quarterback
Dec 27, 2025; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Bekkem Kritza (16) warms up before the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal: 12/30/25
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New school:TBD
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Perhaps not terribly surprising is the news that former three-star quarterback Bekkem Kritza is going to explore his transfer options. This comes amid Penn State adding in former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht to continue playing for new head coach Matt Campbell and the signing of four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone in the Class of 2026. Penn State is also waiting to confirm the status of Ethan Grunkemeyer, who took over the offense for an injured Drew Allar for the second half of the 2025 season.
IN PORTAL: Brady O'Hara, Offensive Line
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Entered transfer portal:1/5/26
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New school:TBD
IN PORTAL: Lamont Payne, Safety
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Entered transfer portal: 1/2/26
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New school:TBD
A member of Penn State's Class of 2023, Lamont Payne struggled to maintain time on the field during his stay in Happy Valley. The former three-star recruit has made appearances in seven games during his Penn State career.
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IN PORTAL: Sam Siafa, Defensive Line
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Entered transfer portal:1/2/26
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New school:TBD
IN PORTAL: Corey Smith , Running Back
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Entered transfer portal:1/2/26
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New school:TBD
IN PORTAL: Cam Wallace, Running Back
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Entered transfer portal: 1/2/26
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New school:TBD
Penn State running back Cam Wallace enters the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. The former three-star recruit joined Penn State in the Class of 2023 but received very limited playing time behind Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen during his stay in Happy Valley.
IN PORTAL: Enai White, Defensive Line
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Entered transfer portal: 1/11/26
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New school:TBD
LEAVING: Randy Adirika, Defensive Line
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Entered transfer portal:1/5/26
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New school: Virginia Tech
LEAVING: Kaleb Artis, Defensive Line
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Entered transfer portal:1/4/26
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New school: Temple
LEAVING: Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, Safety
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Entered transfer portal:12/23/25
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New school: Arizona State
Coming off his redshirt freshman season with the Nittany Lions , Kari Jackson will look for a fresh start after battling injuries during his time at Penn State. Jackson did not record any stats this past season as he was slowed by nagging injury concerns.
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LEAVING: Alex Birchmeier, Offensive Line
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Entered transfer portal: 12/19
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New school:Liberty
Alex Birchmeier is a former five-star recruit in Penn State's Class of 2023. He was the first commitment in the recruiting class, committing to the Nittany Lions in 2021. Birchmeier spent most of his time playing on special teams. Birchmeier is returning to play college football in his home state of Virginia, with Liberty.
LEAVING: Eagan Boyer, Offensive Live
On the first day of the transfer portal window opening up, Penn State offensive lineman Eagan Boyer was among the latest names to enter the database. Boyer redshirted his 2024 freshman season and became a solid contributor on the offensive line in 2025.
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LEAVING: Amare Campbell, Linebacker
LEAVING: Chaz Coleman, Defensive End
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Entered transfer portal: 12/18
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New school:Tennessee
Perhaps the biggest name on the move from Penn State this year through the transfer portal could be star freshman Chaz Coleman. Coleman dazzled in his first season with the Nittany Lions as a four-star recruit (and 247Sports rates him as a five-star transfer, and the No. 1 overall transfer portal player). Coleman is heading to Tennessee, where he will continue playing under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
LEAVING: Jabree Coleman, Running Back
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Entered transfer portal:1/7/26
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New school: South Carolina
IN PORTAL: Tyseer Denmark, Wide Receiver
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Entered transfer portal:1/7/26
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New school:Virginia Tech
LEAVING: Kolin Dinkins, Safety
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Entered transfer portal:1/5/26
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New school:Temple
LEAVING: Jeff Exinor Jr., Wide Receiver
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Entered transfer portal: 1/1/26
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New school:Virginia Tech
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After one season in Happy Valley, former four-star wide receiver Jeff Exinor Jr. will look for a new team in 2026. Exinor previously committed to Penn State over Virginia Tech and Maryland in the Class of 2025. He is now heading to Virginia Tech.
LEAVING: Zuriah Fisher , Edge
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Zuriah Fisher (36) holds up a Hire Terry Smith sign following the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal: 12/28/25
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New school:USC
One of the more notable names on the defensive side of the football entering the transfer portal may be Zuriah Fisher. A line already set to lose some big names up front will have a tougher time plugging the holes with the pending departure of Zuriah Fisher, who recorded 7 TFLs and 5.5 sacks the past two seasons.
LEAVING: Xavier Gilliam, Defensive Line
Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam (54) reacts after sacking Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal: 12/31/25
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New school:Tennessee
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Penn State loses a rising star in Xavier Gilliam. Although he lacks any stats that will impress on paper, the belief is that he has the skill and potential to be an impact player given the opportunity. Despite the changeover on the Penn State defensive line, Gilliam will look to thrive at his new school, Tennessee.
LEAVING: Ethan Grunkemeyer, Quarterback
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer (17) looks on from the field during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal: 1/1/26
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New school:TBD
After starting at quarterback for the second half of Penn State's 2025 season and ending the year on a four-game winning streak, Ethan Grunkemeyer was noncommittal on his future with Penn State and said he would explore his options. After doing so, Grunkemeyer will enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility at his disposal.
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LEAVING: A.J. Harris , Cornerback
Nov 9, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback AJ Harris (4) reacts after a pass break up by cornerback Cam Miller (not pictured) resulting in a fourth down for the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal:12/22/25
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New school: Indiana
For the second time during his college football career, A.J. Harris is entering the transfer portal. Harris came to Penn State from Georgia and proved to be a valuable asset to the Penn State pass defense.
LEAVING: Cortez Harris, Edge
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Entered transfer portal:1/6/26
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New school:Virginia Tech
LEAVING: Jaylen Harvey, Edge
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Entered transfer portal: 12/31/25
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New school: North Carolina
Another defensive player on the move this portal season will be Jaylen Harvey. Despite not being a starter, Harvey saw some decent playing time and played well in the Pinstripe Bowl. Harvey is on his way to North Carolina.
LEAVING: Matt Henderson, Tight End
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Entered transfer portal:1/2/26
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New school:Virginia Tech
LEAVING: Daniel Jennings, Edge
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Entered transfer portal:1/2/26
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New school: Virginia Tech
LEAVING: Dejuan Lane, Safety
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Entered transfer portal:1/6/26
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New school:Tennessee
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LEAVING: King Mack, Safety
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Entered transfer portal: 1/2/26
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New school:NC State
King Mack is back in the transfer portal again this offseason. The former Penn State recruit transferred from Penn State to Alabama for the 2024 season and then returned to Penn State for the 2025 season.
LEAVING: DaKaari Nelson, Tight End
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Entered transfer portal:1/2/26
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New school:NC State
LEAVING: Andrew Olesh, Tight End
LEAVING: Matt Outten, Wide Receiver
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Entered transfer portal:1/8/26
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New school:Syracuse
LEAVING: Luke Reynolds , Tight End
Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Luke Reynolds (85) runs after a fake punt against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal: 1/1/26
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New school:Virginia Tech
Luke Reynolds was the top-rated tight end in the Class of 2024 and a former five-star recruit. Reynolds was Penn State's fourth-leading receiver in 2025 and will be heading to Virginia Tech.
LEAVING: Kaden Saunders, Wide Receiver
Penn State wide receiver Kaden Saunder pulls holds onto a catch during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in State College. The White team defeated the Blue team, 27-0.
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Entered transfer portal: 12/31/25
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New school:Southern Mississippi
Another notable wide receiver entering the transfer portal from Penn State will be Kaden Saunders. The former four-star recruit never managed to win some meaningful playing time in the offense despite the need for wide receivers, which is part of the reason for Penn State's pursuit of transfer options in the portal a year ago. Saunders was a key commitment in Penn State's Class of 2022 out of Ohio and could blossom with a fresh start in his final years of eligibility.
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LEAVING: Joey Schlaffer, Tight End
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Joey Schlaffer (18) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal: 11/5
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New school:Temple
LEAVING: TJ Shanahan, Offensive Line
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Entered transfer portal: 1/1/26
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New school:Florida
After one season in a Penn State uniform, veteran offensive lineman TJ Shanahan will be looking for his third school in as many seasons. The former Texas A&M player transferred to Penn State a year ago and appeared in 12 games for the Nittany Lions during the 2025 season with a handful of starts.
LEAVING: Jaxon Smolik, Quarterback
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Entered transfer portal:1/2/26
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New school:Temple
As the transfer window opened, Jaxon Smolik was tasked wiht turning the lights off in the quarterback room as the last remaining scholarship quarterback on the roster to jump into the transfer portal. Smolik, a former Elite 11 finalist, has three years of eligibility remainingared in just three games during the 2025 season and missed the 2024 season due to injury.
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LEAVING: Anthony Specca, Linebacker
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Entered transfer portal:12/31/25
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New school: Purdue
Penn State could lose another linebacker to the transfer portal as Anthony Specca has decided to check out his options. The former three-star Class of 2024 commit appeared in 11 games for Penn State during the 2025 season and recorded 9 total tackles in a backup role. He is coming off his redshirt freshman season, giving the Bridgeville, Pennsylvania native three more years of eligibility at Purdue.
LEAVING: Michael Troutman III, Offensive Line
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Entered transfer portal:1/7/26
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New school:Virginia Tech
LEAVING: Owen Wafle, Defensive Line
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Entered transfer portal:1/2/26
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New school:Duke
LEAVING: Elliot Washington II , Cornerback
Oct 18, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Elliot Washington II (9) returns a blocked field goal attempt by Iowa Hawkeyes kicker Drew Stevens (not pictured) 35 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal: 12/11
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New school:Clemson
Former four-star recruit Elliot Washington II is on the move this offseason. Prior to committing to Penn State, Washington was committed to Alabama. The Florida native was not a starter but has starter potential in the right spot. He will wrap up his college football career at Clemson .
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LEAVING: J'ven Williams, Offensive Line
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Entered transfer portal: 1/1/26
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New school:Charlotte
A former five-star recruit in Penn State's Class of 2023, J'ven Williams saw limited playing time in 2025 and was used primarily on special teams in 2024. He will have two years of eligibility to use with a new school and a clean slate.
LEAVING: Mylachi Williams, Edge
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Entered transfer portal:1/6/26
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New school:Virginia Tech
LEAVING: Kenny Woseley Jr., Cornerback
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Entered transfer portal:1/5/26
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New school:Virginia Tech
LEAVING: Keon Wylie, Linebacker
Nov 15, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Penn State linebacker Keon Wylie (32) tackles Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) as the ball is thrown at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images
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Entered transfer portal:12/23/25
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New school:Virginia Tech
Penn State redshirt junior linebacker Keon Wylie will likely be on the move this offseason. Wylie played a backup role on the Penn State defense and may benefit from a clean slate with a new program. Wylie played in all 13 games for Penn State in 2025 but will look for a chance for more playing time before his eligibility runs out.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State 2026 transfer portal tracker: Who is coming and going?
