Penn State Football faces some major roster shakeups as the Nittany Lions gear up for the 2026 season with new head coach Matt Campbell. The transfer portal opened on January 2nd, and it’s been a whirlwind—some guys are sticking around, others are heading out, and a few fresh faces are joining the squad.
Here’s a rundown of the biggest moves: who’s staying, who’s leaving, and what it all might mean for the team’s chances next season. If you want the latest, check out the Penn State Football Transfer Portal Tracker.
Key Players Staying with Penn State
Seeing several key players stick with the program is a good sign. Their commitment could make a real difference on the field this fall.
Offensive Linemen
Cooper Cousins announced he’s coming back on December 29. He started his career in 2024 and has already put together two solid seasons, so he’s a big piece up front.
Owen Aliciene also returns, and folks have been raving about his freshman season. Having him back is a real plus for the offensive line.
Anthony Donkoh—two-year starter and arguably one of Penn State’s best linemen—confirmed he’ll be back for 2026 via Instagram on December 30.
Tight Ends
Andrew Rappleyea is sticking around too. He bounced back from a season-ending injury in 2024 to have a strong 2025, and his presence at tight end is huge.
Players Entering the Transfer Portal
Of course, not everyone is staying put. A handful of players are entering the transfer portal, hoping for a fresh start somewhere else.
Notable Departures
- Joey Schlaffer was the first to hit the portal on November 5. He was buried on the tight end depth chart and still has a few years of eligibility to use.
- Elliot Washington entered on December 11. He generated a lot of offseason buzz and played well for Penn State, with one year left to play.
- Chaz Coleman jumped in on December 18. The Ohio native impressed as a freshman and will probably draw interest from big programs like Ohio State.
- A.J. Harris, who transferred from Georgia, is finishing out his college career elsewhere. He had a shot at being Penn State’s first first-round cornerback.
- Kari Jackson joined the portal on December 23. The Michigan native struggled with injuries at Penn State and has three years left.
- Zuriah Fisher entered on December 28. He started most games opposite Dani Dennis-Sutton but had a pretty quiet year overall.
- Anthony Ivey left on December 29. Despite the hype, he never really broke through at wide receiver and has one year left.
- Keon Wylie also entered on December 29. Some thought he’d break out on defense, but it never quite happened—he’s got two years of eligibility for his next stop.
- Bekkem Kritza jumped in on December 30. He’s a 2025 quarterback recruit with four years to play somewhere else.
Impact on Penn State Football
Losing players through the portal is tough. But keeping key guys and maybe adding a few new faces could help Penn State rebuild and stay competitive.
Offensive Line Strength
With Cooper Cousins, Owen Aliciene, and Anthony Donkoh back, the offensive line looks stable and experienced. That kind of continuity matters when it comes to protecting the quarterback and running the ball.
Depth in Tight End Position
Andrew Rappleyea’s return gives the tight end group some much-needed depth. He can help in the passing game and as a blocker, which is always valuable.
Defensive Challenges
Losing Elliot Washington, Chaz Coleman, and A.J. Harris stings on defense. The team will need some new faces to step up and fill those gaps if they want to keep the defense strong.
Looking Ahead
Penn State has its work cut out as it navigates all these changes. Building a cohesive, competitive team for 2026 won’t be easy, but there’s opportunity here too.
Recruitment and Development
Head coach Matt Campbell and his staff need to focus on recruiting and developing players. Bringing in new talent and helping current players grow will be crucial to the team’s success.
Team Cohesion
Building team cohesion is going to be crucial as new players join the roster. Some folks will need to adjust as they step into different roles.
Strong leadership matters here, and so does honest, open communication. That’s what really helps a team feel connected and motivated.
If you want up-to-date info on Penn State Football’s roster changes or transfer portal moves, check out the Penn State Football Transfer Portal Tracker.
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