Penn State Sports Magazine
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4 0 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M O P I N I O N THOMAS FRANK CARR T F R A N K .C A R R @ O N 3 .C O M P enn State isn't in the strongest posi- tion among its peers, but it will be a buyer in the transfer portal this offseason. It has to be if it hopes to field a competitive team in 2027. The roster has holes and the pipeline is thin follow- ing the coaching transition from James Franklin to Matt Campbell. The portal will be open for 10 days starting Jan. 4. With that window fast approaching, it's worthwhile to begin thinking about who might make sense for Penn State. A logical place to start would be Maryland, which parted ways with head coach Mike Locksley on Oct. 21. Whether any of the players below will enter the portal remains an open ques- tion, but we can at least look at how they might fit D'Anton Lynn's defense. Top target: DE Zion Elee Lynn wants defensive ends who can play from the five-technique, on the tackle's outside shoulder, to the nine, outside the tight end. He wants the size to play the run and the speed and power to rush the passer. Look no further than Elee. The freshman has played more than Maryland probably intended following Zahir Mathis' season-ending injury. He's rewarded the Terps with flashes of the elite play you'd expect from a five-star recruit. Listed at 6-foot-4, 233 pounds, he has a huge frame and room to grow. Some of Maryland's most impressive defensive plays are his. He flashes domi- nant power as a pass rusher and run de- fender, but flashes don't always turn into consistent greatness right away, or at all. Elee is still raw. His hand usage lacks precision. He loses leverage and some- times stops his feet on contact, becom- ing a "professional shover." There's a gamble on Elee turning the corner as a sophomore and becoming the star pass rusher Penn State needs. Could it happen? Absolutely. I'd say it's more likely than not, given his promise. The problem is that if he enters the portal, he'll likely command the price of an established star. Penn State would have to believe in the return on that in- vestment. Best fit: DE hybrid Sidney Stewart Stewart is a good player who could fill the hybrid role in Lynn's defense. He can rush, drop into coverage and play off-ball linebacker. At 6-2, 247 pounds, the sophomore is compact and powerful, with the technique and agility to handle zone-read plays. Stewart is reminiscent of Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Rueben Bain in that he uses his compact build and explosive burst to generate force. He's liable to run through an unprepared offensive tackle on his way to the quar- terback. Stewart isn't a top pass rusher, though. He's feisty and will get sacks, but his lack of length limits his upside. He would be a good addition, but PSU would still need a premier pass rusher alongside him. Surprise fit: NT Eyan Thomas Thomas is a big-bodied nose tackle with quickness and a reliable swim move. The 6-3, 337-pound redshirt ju- nior generated far more pressure than I expected when I watched his film. He isn't a dominant run defender despite his size, but he holds his own. Maryland uses a three-defensive- tackle package similar to Penn State's, and Thomas played the five-technique for the Terps on early downs. He's worth watching as another option up front. His size and film could attract substantial of- fers, although I wouldn't put him in the portal's highest price bracket based on his production. Will linebacker fit: CJ Smith Smith can fly around the field and make plays. At his best, the 6-1, 222-pound sophomore is explosive to the ball and slips blocks to make tackles for loss. He's still developing his instincts, so his speed can work against him when he takes himself out of position on fakes. He also gets bullied on blocks in the tackle box. If Penn State wants lighter, faster linebackers, Lynn needs to solve the de- fensive tackle problem first. Smith is a developmental option at Will linebacker. That may not make much sense given what PSU already has at the position. Mike linebacker fit: Daniel Win- gate Wingate looks like a plug-and-play Big Ten starter, but there's a significant caveat: Maryland lists him as a senior. Any discussion of him as a 2027 transfer option depends on confirming that he has eligibility remaining. At 6-5, 238 pounds, he's massive for the position. He moves well, shows good range in zone coverage and anticipates routes. Wingate fits runs, takes on blocks and is usually in position. Would he be an upgrade? Maybe, but the difference could be marginal. Penn State needs help, yet fit and potential alone aren't enough. Availability, devel- opment and price will determine which of these players can become worthwhile additions. ■ When The Portal Opens, Will PSU Shop Local? Listed in the Rivals Industry Ranking as the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, edge rusher Zion Elee was pursued by Penn State but chose Maryland. If he enters the transfer portal following coach Mike Locksley's dismissal, the former five-star prospect will elicit national interest. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER UPON FURTHER REVIEW