Penn State football offers Division II transfer portal defensive back Donovan Callis
Penn State has offered a new prospect in the NCAA transfer portal. The Nittany Lions are now in the running for former East Central University cornerback Donovan Callis.
Callis entered the portal back on April 13. He has received numerous Group of Five offers since. A California native, he spent multiple seasons at the Division II school in Arkansas. Now, he’s hoping to jump up a level and compete for another school.
“I want to give a big thank you to ECU for developing me as a better player and person on and off the field,” Callis wrote while announcing his intent to leave the school.
Get to know Donovan Callis
Callis has at least one and possibly two years of eligibility remaining. In 2022, he made 32 tackles (1.5 for loss) and netted two interceptions, seven pass breakups, a quarterback hurry, two fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. That stat line helped him earn Great American Conference second-team honors. In 2021, Callis made 19 stops over seven games. He also had eight pass breakups.
The list of schools to offer the cornerback so far include Washington State, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, UTSA, Utah State, Miami of Ohio, Arkansas State, and Charlotte.
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Penn State portal plan
Penn State coach James Franklin identified receiver and defensive tackle as two positions he hoped to address before preseason camp via the portal. Cornerback is now one, too, after Storm Duck left the Lions and moved on to Louisville. It’s still a position of strength for Franklin’s program, however. But, additional competition is never a bad thing, nor is another number for position coach Terry Smith’s group.
“We’re in a good place right now,” Franklin said after the Blue-White game. “But I think we need some more depth and more competition at D-Tackle. I think we need some more depth and competition at wide receiver, because I do think we could get by West Virginia or by game four or game five, I think we could have six guys that we feel good about. But it’s not competitive right now. We’re trying to figure out who the third is, although a guy stepped up today. I want there to be legitimate competition at every position. And then besides that, we will not turn down a great player at any position.
“So, the coaches were talking about how the phones are buzzing. It’s all over the place right now. It’s crazy. I addressed it with our team in the locker room afterwards. But those two positions specifically, and then a great difference maker in any position.”
The spring transfer window closed for undergraduates on Sunday. However, many who are already in it have not made a decision yet. Grad transfers can go in anytime, too. So, Callis is the latest target. But, others can and likely will pop up in the days and weeks ahead.
