Penn State Football: Justin Shorter Reportedly Enters Transfer Portal

According to a report by Yahoo Sports, Penn State sophomore receiver Justin Shorter has entered the transfer portal. 

‘Literally we’re just having a conversation and walking out when I came here,’ James Franklin said of Shorter during his Tuesday press conference. ‘I’m not sure where we’re at. Obviously it was a conversation that was had. It was a conversation that was had.’

Shorter, who was the former No. 1 overall receiver in his recruiting class, has had an up and down tenure at Penn State. In 2018, he was plagued with injuries, greatly limiting his playing time. During the 2019 season he has overcome a few knocks as well and has appeared to be lower on quarterback Sean Clifford’s list of preferred targets and not a marquee fixture in the Nittany Lions’ offense.

So far this season Shorter has pulled in 12 receptions for 137 yards. The 6-foot-4 receiver has been targeted on 17 occasions, more than twice in a single game on three occasions. 

Shorter had three catches on a season-high five targets against Ohio State.

It is unclear at this time if Shorter intends on transferring or is simply weighing his options. Both receiver KJ Hamler and tight end Pat Freiermuth will have the opportunity to weigh their professional options following the season, the latter in particular with another impressive season added to his resume. The departure of both or either player would likely lead to a larger role for Shorter during his junior season.

But as is the case for many of these decisions, playing time can be just a small part of a larger picture.

A player can enter the transfer portal and return to his current team. Safety Lamont Wade briefly entered the portal this past offseason but eventually returned to Penn State.

• Buffalo: 1 target, 1 catch
• Pitt: 3 targets, 2 catches
• Idaho: 3 targets, 3 catches
• Michigan State: 1 target, 1 catch
• Iowa: 1 target, 1 catch
• Ohio State: 5 targets, 3 catches
• Maryland: 1 target, 1 catch
• Minnesota: 2 targets, 0 catches