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Penn State coordinator Manny Diaz opens up about team morale and its impact during transfer portal recruiting

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•01/03/23•

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Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz smiles during a rainy Rose Bowl practice earlier this week. (Credit: Ryan Snyder/Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State added two incoming players via the transfer portal over the past week in former North Carolina cornerback Storm Duck and NC State wide receiver Devin Carter. Since the portal began in 2018, the Nittany Lions have had plenty of success with their incoming players.

After defensive end Arnold Ebiketie was the Nittany Lions’ top player in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus, that trend continued in 2022, as his replacement, Chop Robinson, was Penn State’s top-graded player this season with a grade of 90.3.

Leading up to last night’s Rose Bowl win over Utah, defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was asked about the transfer portal process, notably what all they consider when deciding to make a move. A former head coach, Diaz made it clear that it’s not just about improving the team, but also ensuring that the current players understand the reasoning.

“When I was a head coach, I thought we did a good job at Miami in the portal,” Diaz said. “[We were] kind of one of the first ones that went that way a little bit.

“The first thing is always morale. This is not fantasy football. When you drop a guy in fantasy football, the other guys on your fantasy football team, they don’t care when you add a new guy. The guy that you drop cares. These are real-live people.

“What I’ve always said is, when you bring a guy into the room, every guy in that room needs to be happy and know why that guy is there. Most players want to win. Obviously, yes, we’re going to play the best players. I think we established that this year. You see what happened with a guy like Chop and the impact he had on our defense. The players had to understand why we needed Chop. Because it’s a luxury? No, everyone saw for us to be great, we needed more help on the edge.”

Diaz continued by saying, “I think if you always go through that, you have the ability to fix your needs. So, one, what are our needs? What can be fixed in the short term that a high school player by developing might not be? But then the players have to know, because if you have an issue morale-wise, you’ll have an issue.”

Penn State is still in search for another wide receiver via the portal. An addition at defensive tackle would also be a plus. Kent State wide receiver Devin Cephas and Texas State defensive tackle Davon Sears are currently considered top options.

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