The 2025 college football season keeps rolling, and the transfer portal just won’t stop shaking things up. This week, a handful of former Penn State players grabbed the spotlight with their new squads, showing what they can do and, in some cases, changing the course of games. From injuries to big plays, here’s a look at how these ex-Nittany Lions did in Week Nine.
Beau Pribula’s Injury Setback with Missouri Tigers
One of the biggest stories this week centers on Beau Pribula, who left Penn State for the No. 15 Missouri Tigers. He faced off against No. 10 Vanderbilt in a high-stakes matchup. Early in the third quarter, Pribula went down with an ankle injury during a fourth-and-goal quarterback keep.
Trainers carted him off the field, and you could almost feel the air go out of the stadium. Before the injury, Pribula had completed nine of 14 passes for 68 yards. He also ran four times for 10 yards. Missouri fought hard but ended up losing 10-17 to Vanderbilt.
Key Contributions from Former Penn State Players
Pribula’s injury was tough to watch, but other former Penn State players made their presence felt on the field. Their performances keep reminding everyone just how much the transfer portal matters these days.
Wallace Shines for the Rebels
Wallace, once a Penn State wide receiver, came up big for the Rebels in their 34-26 win over No. 13 Oklahoma. He caught five passes, racking up 64 yards and making some clutch plays when his team needed them most.
Defensive Standouts
Several ex-Nittany Lions on defense also had their moments this week:
- Scarlet Knights: A former Penn State cornerback made two solo tackles in Rutgers’ tight 27-24 win over Purdue.
- Zips: Flowers, now with Akron, put up nine tackles—five of them solo—in their 24-16 victory over Buffalo.
- Yellow Jackets: Mitchell played for No. 12 Georgia Tech, picking up two solo tackles in a 41-16 win over Syracuse. Georgia Tech stays undefeated at 8-0, which is honestly impressive.
- Huskies: Mills, another former Penn State defensive back, had two solo tackles in the Huskies’ wild double-overtime loss to Rice.
- Tar Heels: In North Carolina’s nail-biting 17-16 overtime loss to No. 16 Virginia, a former Penn State defensive lineman chipped in with two tackles—one solo, one assisted.
Impact of the Transfer Portal on College Football
The transfer portal keeps changing college football in ways that are hard to ignore. Players find new homes, and sometimes, they make an instant difference for their new teams. Watching these former Penn State guys, you can’t help but notice how much the portal shapes game outcomes every single week.
Resetting the Tone for Penn State
Penn State just wrapped up a much-needed bye week after dropping four straight games. Now, they’re staring down a huge test against No. 1 Ohio State. It’s the kind of matchup that could define their season, and you get the sense they’re hungry for a reset.
Looking Ahead
The season’s past the halfway point, and things are about to get even more intense. Former Penn State players will definitely be worth keeping an eye on as they chase new opportunities and try to leave their stamp on the 2025 season.
Conclusion
Week Nine of the 2025 college football season brought plenty of ups and downs for former Penn State players. Beau Pribula’s injury stung, while defensive players really made their mark.
The transfer portal’s influence is obvious. It’s honestly wild to see how these players are changing the storylines for their new teams.
If you’re curious about more updates or want to dig into the details, check out Onward State’s Transfer Portal Roundup.
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