Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac will return to the Lions in 2023

Penn State football will have a key defender back in 2023. Defensive end Adisa Isaac will be back with the Lions next fall.

The veteran defensive end announced the news on Sunday night.

“In the past four years, it has truly been a pleasure to play football for Penn State University and learn from some of the most influential coaches and staff in the football industry, along with gaining a brotherhood that will forever be in my life,” Isaac wrote.

“I also had the greatest opportunity to work towards my college degree which is very important to myself and my family with whom have been my strength and driving force from day one. I am truly grateful for all my teammates and coaches that have supported and pushed me to be better, a better player on and off the field. Through all my trials and tribulations, the bonds that I have built with my brothers over the years really made my time here memorable and special! They have created many memories that will last a lifetime. With that being said, after careful time and thought with my family I will be returning to Penn State in 2023.”

Penn State is returning both of its starting defensive ends in 2023. Besides Isaac, Chop Robinson will also be back to anchor the Nittany Lions defensive line for position coach John Scott Jr.

Here is a full rundown on Penn State’s outgoings and incomings in the transfer portal so far:

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 – Washington declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 9. He did not play in the Rose Bowl.

“The memories I have made during my time so far with this Penn State family has been and will always be unforgettable. The fans, the Penn State White Out, the roar of 107K strong.. Unbelievable,” Washington said in a statement.

“Thank you to my family and coaches for the discussions, for helping me weigh the pros and cons, for helping me choose the next path in my journey. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.”

More: Mel Kiper ranks Top 10 safeties ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft

LB Curtis Jacobs – No announcement as of Jan. 8.

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., was on multiple All-American teams, as well.

OT Caedan Wallace – Wallace told BWI at team media day in Pasadena, Calif., before the Rose Bowl that he would be back for the 2023 season.

TE Brenton Strange – Strange declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 27. He played in the Rose Bowl.

OL Juice Scruggs — Scruggs declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 23. He played in the Rose Bowl.

K Jake Pinegar — No announcement as of Jan. 8.

DE Nick Tarburton — Tarburton declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 17. He played in the Rose Bowl.

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 Dec. 5. He committed to Pittsburgh on Dec. 18.

–Defensive end Rodney McGraw signaled his intention to do so on Dec. 4 and entered it on Dec. 5. He committed to Louisville on Dec. 18.

–Corner Jeffrey Davis Jr., did so on Dec. 5. He picked Stony Brook on Dec. 29.

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

–Defensive tackle Fatorma Mulbah entered the portal as a graduate transfer on Jan. 5.

Which players have Penn State offered in the portal, and have any made a decision?

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. Cornelius picked Oregon on Dec. 21.

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. He, however, picked Oregon on Dec. 18.

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. He picked Nebraska, though, on Dec. 21.

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. But, he picked USC on Dec. 19.

Dec. 7 – The first of two offers went out on this day 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. He is still uncommitted. The second went to former UTEP offensive lineman Jeremiah Byers. He picked Florida State Dec. 19.

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. However, he picked Ole Miss Dec. 23. Mississippi State receiver Rara Thomas was also once a target. But, he picked Georgia Dec. 22.

More: Penn State set to host two transfer official visitors on Jan. 4

Dec. 9 – Penn State offered another receiver on Friday when it entered the mix for Kent State pass catcher Devontez Walker. He has since picked North Carolina.

Dec. 9-11 – The Lions hosted Kent State receiver Dante Cephas for an official visit. However, he left campus without making a decision. One has not been made as of Jan. 4.

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 picked Texas, however, on Dec. 21.

Dec. 15 — Penn State offered NC State redshirt junior Devin Carter. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound pass catcher had 25 receptions for 406 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 while also dealing with an injury. He picked Penn State on Jan. 2.

Dec. 22 — The Lions moved on former Troy receiver Keyonteze Johnson. He is the adopted brother of Bo Nix, the current Oregon quarterback who used to play at Auburn. Over three seasons with the Trojans, Johnson has 141 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns. He picked Oregon on Dec. 29.

Dec. 27 — Penn State was busy in the portal in terms of offers on this day. The Lions joined the race for Eastern Washington wideout Freddie Roberson and former Texas State defensive tackle Davon Sears. Both claim offers from numerous Power Five programs.

Jan. 1 — Sears announces that Penn State, Tennessee, and Oklahoma are in his top three. No decision has been made yet, however. And, there is not yet a public timeline for one.

Jan. 4 — After possible target Kaden Prather, who played at West Virginia, picked longtime favorite Maryland, the Lions moved on former Bowling Green receiver Tyrone Broden. One of the nation’s tallest receivers at 6-foot-5, Broden had 1,199 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Falcons.

Jan. 5 – The Lions move on Georgia Southern receiver Jamari Thrash. He committed to Louisville Sunday.

Who have the Lions landed in the portal?

Dec. 8 — Penn State lands a walk-on from former Columbia kicker Alex Felkins. He is a three-time All-IVY League selection.

Dec. 17 — Penn State picked up its first scholarship commitment via the transfer portal in former FAU punter Riley Thompson. He averaged 45.4 yards per kick and was named a freshman All-American by The Athletic and a third-team All-American by Pro Football Focus.

Dec. 26 — Penn State picked up North Carolina corner Storm Duck. The second-team All-ACC corner adds a major new piece to the Lions’ secondary ahead of the 2023 season.

Jan. 2 — Former North Carolina State receiver Devin Carter picked Penn State shortly after the Rose Bowl ended. He made 116 catches for 1,906 yards and 10 touchdowns over five seasons with the Wolfpack. He has one season of eligibility remaining.