Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1533674
6 A P R I L 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State added six scholarship players during the winter transfer window, and the Nittany Lions will continue looking at available op- tions when the portal opens again. The spring window will be shorter than its December counterpart, run- ning from April 16-25, though it's always available for graduate transfers and opens for 30 days when a head coach leaves a program. The first hurdle on Penn State's end is that the Blue-White Game will take place the day after the window closes. Whether or not the portal dates went into the decision to push the game back this year is unknown, but it's an inter- esting coincidence given that several schools have altered their own plans for a spring game citing the potential of losing players in the portal due to their performance. "Our game last year was televised," Nebraska coach Matt Rhule explained. "A ton of people watched it, and then on Monday, it was, 'Hey Coach, I got a call from so and so.' You think about the risk-reward when we're paying players already, and then with the portal in spring, some guys will gradu- ate — I just don't know that I want to showcase for people what's out there." That's not going to stop players from sitting out the last portion of spring ball and going into the portal. Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert- Smith did so just last year. But it's an interesting situation, because those players won't get Blue-White Game reps on tape for prospective suitors. Penn State lost a flurry of players at the end of the spring window last May, including safety King Mack, who rejoined PSU in January after spending his sophomore season at Alabama. In essence, regardless of when the spring game is played, there should be more expected attrition following spring ball. The elephant in the room, of course, is that there is no guarantee the spring window will feature a bountiful crop. Expectations were high last year, but the spring transfer class turned out to be a dud. Programs prioritized the retention of their top players, and that approach created scarcity at several positions and a supply-and-demand imbalance that sent prices to absurd levels for merely average players. All of that didn't stop Penn State athletics director Patrick Kraft from feeding the beast last month. "We all know we need wide receiver help, so we've got to go find one," Kraft said. "I think we have some really good ones in the building, but … if you can come and help us win and do great things and bring that and maintain the culture here, then great." So, yes, as always it seems, wide receiver is still on the list. That's true even after the program added red- shirt senior Kyron Hudson and senior Devonte Ross from the portal in the winter. The Nittany Lions are open to exploring every option there, and that includes bringing in another wideout after the spring. Advanced scouting has already started, and Penn State is hoping some players will explore their options this spring. It's far from a guarantee, though. The Nittany Lions brought in a pair of defensive linemen in the winter, but the level at which they will get con- tributions from redshirt junior edge rusher Enai White and redshirt fresh- man tackle Owen Wafle remains to be seen. Penn State hosted several defen- sive tackles during the winter window and found the prices didn't match the talent. Assistant coach Deion Barnes will keep one eye on the portal this spring and another on the practice field to see how far along his young defen- sive tackles have come. Smith Vilbert's decision to enter the portal cost the Nittany Lions a ver- satile defensive lineman, albeit one who wasn't necessarily going to be a full-time starter. Penn State went into spring practice relying on the health of super senior defensive end Zuriah Fisher, which hasn't been great during his career. The staff will keep an eye on both defensive line positions, with ex- perience being paramount. Wide receiver and the defensive line are both Tier 1 priorities for the Nit- tany Lions in the spring window. While all positions will bear some degree of scrutiny, Tier 2 includes linebacker and safety. Penn State has similar situ- ations at both spots, even with the addition of Mack in the winter. The linebacker corps and secondary both lost key veterans to the NFL, and the Lions will rely on talented youth to fill those gaps. Even so, experience would help. It's unlikely a ton materializes there with- out knowing the market, but don't be surprised if you hear Penn State being mentioned in connection with line- backers and safeties this spring. ■ Spring Transfer Portal Creates Challenges, Opportunities JUDGMENT CALL O P I N I O N SEAN FITZ SEAN.FITZ@ON3.COM Safety King Mack returned to Penn State via the transfer portal in January after spending his sophomore year at Alabama. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL