Penn State football will be transformed by the rest of the week ahead in these three ways

Penn State football just finished spring practice. It helped lay the foundation for the 2022 season.

However, the week ahead might just be more transformative for the program than any of the last four that came before it.

Three things either will or could happen over the next seven days to shape head coach James Franklin’s program moving forward. We take a closer look at each here.

1. The portal will continue to be active

Penn State saw its first player enter the NCAA Transfer Portal on Monday. Former four-star defensive tackle Cole Brevard is assessing his options after two seasons plus a set of spring drills in blue and white. It’s unlikely that he will return. He’s further down the depth chart than he probably imagined he would be at this point of his career. But, the option remains of course.

Why it matters this week, though, is because the NCAA gives athletes in fall and winter sports until May 1 to enter their names in the portal and still be eligible for the respective upcoming seasons. That means two things. Any Lion who wants to at least have the opportunity to move on and play next year must declare their intent by this Sunday. That works in the reverse too, of course. Players who want to go into the portal elsewhere and maybe consider Penn State as an option one day also have less than a week now to decide to do that.

Thus, by this time next week, we are going to know a lot more about both who could be leaving the Penn State program and also who might be available to join it before fall camp. Stay tuned, because there figures to be a lot of movement over the next handful of days.

2. AD search seems to be over except for an announcement

Incoming Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi has not wasted any time in her hunt for the university’s next athletic director.

The former Louisville president who takes over for Eric Barron in the same role at Old Main on May 10 led the search for Sandy Barbour’s replacement. The news that Barbour would retire this summer was revealed on March 16. A month and change later, reports, including one from BWI’s Nate Bauer, broke Tuesday with sources saying that the Lions were working to finalize a deal to bring current Boston College AD Pat Kraft to town.

Kraft previously worked at Temple. He actually hired now-Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to be the Owls’ head coach. That only lasted about eight days, of course. But, everything is lining up for them to be reunited in State College.

While an official announcement has not been made as of this post’s publication, one is expected soon.

• More: Insider view: First reaction, sizing up next Penn State athletic director

Kraft has a strong background that includes fundraising success, facility building and renovation experience, and fine hiring decisions. Should he join Penn State as expected, it would seem that the school picked someone who can align with head football coach James Franklin and the rest of the athletic department. That, in and of itself, is a win. And, it’s the first step on the never-ending and always-evolving march to ensure both the football program and the other 30 sports at Penn State have the resources necessary to compete at the highest level.

3. Penn State players prepare for the NFL Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Las Vegas, Nev. It marks the latest chance for former Nittany Lions to secure their dreams of playing in the pros.

First and foremost, it’s great news for the ones who are either selected. one of the seven rounds or signed as undrafted free agents. But, each player picked is also another recruiting boon for Penn State. Prospects talk often about a school’s history of producing draftable talent. It’s not an end-all, be-all, but it certainly is part of the puzzle.

Anywhere from seven to 10 Lions could go off the board by the time Saturday’s selection process concludes. Penn State will hope that as many of its former players as possible are picked. Not just for their own careers, of course. But, also to add more fuel to the recruiting fire that must always continue burning for teams to reach the pinnacle of college football.