As the NCAA transfer portal opens on December 1, 2023, Penn State football coach Matt Campbell prepares to tackle significant challenges in rebuilding his roster. With at least 17 players from the 2025 team expected to enter the portal and another 23 having exhausted their eligibility, Campbell faces an urgent need to strengthen his squad before the next signing day on February 7, 2025.
In his inaugural comments after being hired, Campbell expressed confidence in the existing talent, stating, “I know there’s a great foundation here with some great players.” He emphasized the importance of retaining current athletes while also seeking to enhance the roster through strategic additions from both the transfer portal and high school recruits.
Targeting Familiar Faces
Many of the potential transfer targets for Penn State are likely to come from Iowa State, where Campbell served as head coach for the past decade. Reports indicate that over 40 players from Iowa State are considering transfers, including quarterback Rocco Becht. Having started for three seasons and accumulated over 9,274 passing yards and 64 touchdowns, Becht has one year of eligibility remaining.
The quarterback situation is particularly crucial for Campbell. He must decide whether to pursue Becht, potentially risking the development of rising star Ethan Grunkemeyer, who impressed during seven starts after Drew Allar suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Grunkemeyer, with three years of eligibility left, may choose to remain at Penn State or seek immediate starting opportunities elsewhere.
“Quarterback is funny. It’s fit. It’s the relationship with the head coach,” Campbell remarked. He underscored the need for a quarterback to possess not only physical skills but also leadership qualities essential for team dynamics.
Addressing Critical Needs
In addition to bolstering the quarterback position, Campbell aims to address multiple other areas of need, notably the defensive line. Promising freshmen such as Chaz Coleman, Jaylen Harvey, and Xavier Gilliam are also expected to enter the portal, further complicating the situation as the team prepares to lose key seniors like Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant.
Linebacker depth is another concern, with Keon Wylie, Anthony Speca, and Kari Jackson likely to depart, while Dominic DeLuca is out of eligibility. The status of Amare Campbell, the team’s leading tackler, remains uncertain as he weighs his options between staying, entering the portal, or declaring for the NFL draft.
Wide receiver is also an area of focus. With the top three receivers—Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Hudson—exhausting their eligibility, Campbell will look to retain promising freshman Koby Howard, who showed potential during the latter part of the season.
Recent news brought some stability, as offensive linemen Anthony Donkoh, Cooper Cousins, and Owen Aliciene, along with tight end Andrew Rappleyea, announced their decisions to remain with the program.
As Campbell embarks on this transformative phase, he also faces the challenge of finalizing his coaching staff. It remains unclear what roles will be assigned to interim coach Terry Smith, linebackers coach Dan Connor, and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter.
“There is a process. We know what we’re looking for in the transfer portal,” Campbell noted, reflecting on his past experiences at Iowa State where resources were limited compared to programs like Penn State. He is determined to leverage the transfer portal effectively to rebuild the team.
The upcoming weeks will be pivotal for Penn State football as Campbell navigates a landscape of potential departures and new arrivals, all while aiming to maintain a competitive edge in the NCAA.
