As Penn State left the field on Saturday afternoon it marked the opening of the second transfer portal window which is slated to close again on Sunday, April 30th. For a program like Penn State, it’s a great opportunity to address the sorts of needs that could turn cautiously optimistic seasons into legitimate conference title runs. So what is coach James Franklin after?
“We’re in a good place right now. But I think we need some more depth and more competition at [defensive tackle]. I think we need some more depth and competition at wide receiver,” Franklin said following the Blue White game.
“I do think we could get to West Virginia or 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 [Omari Evans.] 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.”
Time will tell if Penn State has any departures in the portal, the Nittany Lions managed to navigate the first portal opening with fairly little meaningful roster damage while also picking up Kent State transfer receiver Dante Cephas who will join the program this summer. Cephas will give the main rotation of KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Trey Wallace an additional option however the hierarchy pans out. Evan’s performance on Saturday also threw his name into the hat, but what appears to have been an up-and-down spring for the receivers’ group, it’s hard to know if Evans posted a breakout game or simply the latest iteration of “it’s your turn to play well today” in a line of work Franklin would appreciate consistency.
On the defensive tackle front Penn State has quality options in Dvon Ellies, Coziah Izzard, Zane Durant and Hakeem Beamon. Davon Townley Jr and Jordan van den Berg pose interesting options as well but Franklin’s perpetual interest in adding more depth to that room likely speaks to its development as much as fulfilling Penn State’s proclivity for rotational pieces.
It stands to reason that as the spring comes to a close and players find their place on the depth chart that Penn State will see an unavoidable departure or two, the question of course is how the portal shopping goes for incoming talent. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, Happy Valley is always an appealing place to call your new home.
