Penn State roster tracker: A transfer portal addition and defections, NFL Draft decisions, and more

Penn State lost its first two players to other schools via the NCAA transfer portal over the weekend. However, it also landed its first player out of the mechanism that was created for student athletes to move schools as undergraduates or graduates. And, it did not suffer any new bowl game opt-outs, though the Lions now know that one player will be off the NFL following the Rose Bowl.

“This is who we’ve been,” head coach James Franklin said back on Friday. “In my 12 years as a head coach, I’ve never had an opt-out until last year. Again, I think part of it goes back to the leadership of our captains this year. That was a big part of our conversation before the season started with our captains, what their expectations were, what their standards were, what mine were as well.

“Really the way, in my mind, we’ve billed it at Penn State, there’s really no reason to opt out. We will be flexible with all of our guys. I want our guys to be as successful as they possibly can. I want the bowl experience to be a great experience. We’ll work with our guys. There’s really no reason to opt out. That goes back to communication with the players and the parents, things like that. Iremember all the way back with Saquon in the Fiesta Bowl, I had a conversation with him and his family about that game because he was getting some people advising him to opt out of the game. Again, I look at this season more as getting back to who we are. The last two years, specifically last year, to your point, was probably an outlier.”

Blue-White Illustrated has a full rundown of who the team has offered and hosted so far below in addition to a complete look at the latest roster news since the end of the regular season.

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

OT Caedan Wallace – No announcement as of Dec. 19.

TE Brenton Strange – No announcement as of Dec. 19.

OL Juice Scruggs — No announcement as of Dec. 19.

K Jake Pinegar — No announcement as of Dec. 19.

DE Adisa Isaac — No announcement as of Dec. 19.

DE Nick Tarburton — Tarburton declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 17. However, he will play in the Rose Bowl before moving on to the next level.

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.

–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.

More: Read everything Penn State coach James Franklin said during the team’s local Rose Bowl media day

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.

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. 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.

Who have the Lions landed in the portal?

Dec. 17 — Penn State picked up its first transfer portal commitment on Saturday. The Lions landed former FAU punter Riley Thompson. He averaged 45.4 yards per boot and was named a freshman All-American by The Athletic and a third-team All-American by Pro Football Focus.