Former Penn State defensive end Rodney McGraw announces transfer destination

Penn State defensive end Rodney McGraw entered the NCAA transfer portal in early December. He has now found his future destination. The Elkhart, Ind., native is headed to Louisville, he announced on Sunday afternoon.

“Thank you to all who reached out,” McGraw wrote on Twitter. “Thank you to Penn State for an awesome 2 years. I’m happy to announce that I am 100% committed to The University Louisville. I can’t wait to get on campus and to get to work. Thank you to Coach Hagen and Coach Brohm for the opportunity.”

McGraw had a tackle on the Lions’ White Out game win over Minnesota. However, he was not guaranteed to be part of the Penn State defensive line rotation in 2023.

“Thank you Penn State for an incredible experience,” McGraw wrote on Twitter when he entered the portal.

‘I learned a lot playing for Coach Scott and Franklin. I’m extremely appreciative of my time in Happy Valley. I believe it’s in my best interest to enter the transfer portal at this time. With 3 years of eligibility remaining.”

Penn State is now down two defensive ends ahead of the 2023 season. McGraw is off to the Cardinals while Nick Tarburton is off to the NFL Draft after the Rose Bowl.

Which Penn State players have potential NFL decisions to make?

Here’s the list:

OT Olu Fashanu — The left tackle announced on Nov. 28 that he would be back with the Lions in 2023.

“For the last three years, I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to be around a group of extremely hardworking individuals,” Fashanu wrote on Twitter. “Everyone in this program has pushed me to become a better football player, and more importantly, a better man. Having the opportunity to play in Beaver Stadium in front of the best fans in the world this past year has been great and I will never forget the moments that were created with this team this season.

“Although playing in the NFL is a goal of mine, there is still more that I want to achieve personally and collectively as a program. After several conversations with my parents and coaches, I will be returning to Penn State for the 2023 season. I want to thank my family, teammates and coaches who have helped me get to this point in my life. My work here is far from over and I look forward to getting back to work with my brothers.”

WR Parker Washington – Declared for the NFL Draft.

LB Curtis Jacobs – No announcement as of Dec. 7.

CB Joey Porter Jr. — Porter Jr., said on Nov. 30 that he would be foregoing the bowl game and instead starting to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft. He aims to be the first Penn State defensive back to ever go in the first round. A unanimous All-Big Ten pick, Porter Jr., figures to end up on All-American teams, as well.

OT Caedan Wallace – No announcement as of Dec. 7.

TE Brenton Strange – No announcement as of Dec. 7.

OL Juice Scruggs — No announcement as of Dec. 7.

DE Nick Tarburton declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 17.

Which Lions have entered the transfer portal?

–Former backup but current third-string quarterback Christian Veilleux was the first Lion to announce his plans to enter the portal. He did so back on Nov. 29 and then officially entered it on Monday.

–Defensive end Rodney McGraw signaled his intention to do so on Dec. 4 and entered it on Dec. 5. He is now at Louisville.

–Corner Jeffrey Davis Jr., did so on Dec. 5.

–Defensive end Davon Townley Jr., entered on Dec. 7.

Other former Penn State football players in the transfer portal include offensive tackle Maleek McNeil, defensive lineman Ken Talley, running back Caziah Holmes, and long snapper Michael Wright.

It is of note that back Devyn Ford, who left the Lions in October for undisclosed reasons, is not yet in the portal.

Who has Penn State offered in the portal?

Nov. 30 – Penn State sends out its first transfer offer to Rhode Island grad transfer Ajani Cornelius. He started 11 games at right tackle and was a first-team All-CAA pick at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds.

Dec. 5 – The Lions offered Kent State receiver and Pennsylvania native Dante Cephas on the first day, as well as Alabama corner Khyree Jackson. Cephas netted 48 catches for 744 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson, meanwhile, has 14 career stops over two seasons with the Crimson Tide. Penn State also offered former Philadelphia defensive lineman Elijah Jeudy, who is leaving Texas A&M. Jeudy played sparingly in his time at A&M, but is up over 290 pounds now, making him an interior prospect.

It should be noted that former Oregon WR Dont’e Thornton also holds an offer from the Lions. Although he hasn’t admitted publicly that PSU or any school has offered, he’s currently believed to be Penn State’s most important portal target.

Dec. 6 – Penn State extended an offer to former Arizona wide receiver Dorian Singer. A former walk-on, Singer totaled 66 receptions for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns this past season. Arkansas, Arizona State, Colorado, Miami and Utah were a few other notable schools that offered after he entered the portal.

Dec. 7 – The first of two offers went out Wednesday to former Iowa defensive back Terry Roberts. The Pa., native was high school teammates at Erie Cathedral Prep with Lions’ center Juice Scruggs. Injuries have hampered his time with the Hawkeyes, but he’s been productive both on defense and on special teams when healthy. The second went to former UTEP offensive lineman Jeremiah Byers. He is a two-time All-Conference USA pick who started 12 games for the Miners last season at right tackle. He is No. 6 in the On3 2023 transfer portal rankings.

More: Class Breakdown: Recapping Penn State’s Class of 2023 following three new commitments

Dec. 8 – The Lions offered two other receivers on Thursday. Former Lousiana Tech receiver Tre Harris, who was a first-team All-Conference USA pick after making  65 receptions for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022, said Penn State offered.  Mississippi State, West Virginia, and Oklahoma also have. Mississippi State receiver Rara Thomas is also now a target. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound pass catcher has three years to play two at his next stop and totaled 44 receptions for 626 yards and seven touchdowns over 12 games in 2022.

Dec. 9 – Penn State offered another receiver on Friday when it entered the mix for Kent State pass catcher Devontez Walker. He was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2022.

Dec. 9-11 – The Lions hosted Kent State receiver Dante Cephas for an official visit. However, he left campus without making a decision. But, one is possible soon.

Dec. 12 – Penn State expands its portal offer board, this time on defense. The Lions joined the mix for former Wake Forest corner Gavin Holmes. He has picked up loads of interest since leaving the Deacons. He recorded 23 tackles and nine passes defended over 11 games, seven of which he started, in 2022.

Dec. 17 — Penn State landed FAU transfer punter Riley Thompson.