2025/26 Transfer Portal & Roster Changes Thread

Sheriff Coffee said:
Lets face it, PSU has had a lifelong challenge in developing QBs. We've got ZERO in the NFL who are starting or threatening to start. And I don't recall one in my lifetime other than Kerry Collins.
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Guess it depends on how long you've been alive.:)

"Back in the day"Penn State had starting QBs Milt Plum, Pete Liske, Tom Sherman, Galen Hall, and John Hufnagel (a star in the CFL).

But you are 100% correct that in the past 50 years or so, only Kerry Collins has been a regular starting QB (Matt McGloin might have gotten a few starts, but not many). Perhaps JoePa focused more on the running than the passing game; hence, all sorts of RBs started in the NFL.

Then came Hackenberg, McSorely, and Clifford. I think the latter might still be in the NFL, just not as a starter. We'll see about Allar.

The lack of developing a bona fide NFL-caliber QB might be the primary reason Penn State has not been a national champion since 1994 (yes, I consider that squad a NC). Michael Robinson was a superior leader and a solid dual threat QB, but he was a FB in the NFL.
 
Old Siward said:
Guess it depends on how long you've been alive.:)

"Back in the day"Penn State had starting QBs Milt Plum, Pete Liske, Tom Sherman, Galen Hall, and John Hufnagel (a star in the CFL).

But you are 100% correct that in the past 50 years or so, only Kerry Collins has been a regular starting QB (Matt McGloin might have gotten a few starts, but not many). Perhaps JoePa focused more on the running than the passing game; hence, all sorts of RBs started in the NFL.

Then came Hackenberg, McSorely, and Clifford. I think the latter might still be in the NFL, just not as a starter. We'll see about Allar.

The lack of developing a bona fide NFL-caliber QB might be the primary reason Penn State has not been a national champion since 1994 (yes, I consider that squad a NC). Michael Robinson was a superior leader and a solid dual threat QB, but he was a FB in the NFL.
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Fortunately, Campbell has a track record of QB development in a short time that is better than Penn State QB development over the last 30 years
 
Just listened to a BWI podcast about the roster and they said that Campbell will be running a 4-3 defense. 3 LB's for the most part with one of the LB's being an athletic hybrid which they see the redshirt freshman Arrington being a candidate for. It seems that 2025 class LB Smith who recently confirmed his return would also be a canidate for that spot.

It would seem that with all of the three 2025 class LB's returning (so far) along with Rojas and the 3 ISU transfers (2 seniors and 1 junior) that there are adequate numbers at LB.

The BWI guys also list positions where they see a need for further incoming transfers. CB, backup QB, OL depth, and DL pass rushers (#1 need).

 
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GregInPitt said:
Just listened to a BWI podcast about the roster and they said that Campbell will be running a 4-3 defense. 3 LB's for the most part with one of the LB's being an athletic hybrid which they see the redshirt freshman Arrington being a candidate for. It seems that 2025 class LB Smith who recently confirmed his return would also be a canidate for that spot.

It would seem that with all of the three 2025 class LB's returning (so far) along with Rojas and the 3 ISU transfers (2 seniors and 1 junior) that there are adequate numbers at LB.

The BWI guys also list positions where they see a need for further incoming transfers. CB, backup QB, OL depth, and DL pass rushers (#1 need).

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Thanks. I think it is also interesting we only need them for one year. In years past, you'd want 8 deep at linebacker, or more. But going into the season with six is adequate because we can get six more next year in the portal. I am using LB and the numbers as an example. I find myself having to check my thinking because, in today's college football, we are only really talking about 2026. 2027 will include another 40% or more turnover in players.
 
I like that the rover or "hero" LB position is making its way back. A guy who is quick, with a touch of nasty, and who can disrupt a QB's thinking.
 
GregInPitt said:
Just listened to a BWI podcast about the roster and they said that Campbell will be running a 4-3 defense. 3 LB's for the most part with one of the LB's being an athletic hybrid which they see the redshirt freshman Arrington being a candidate for. It seems that 2025 class LB Smith who recently confirmed his return would also be a canidate for that spot.

It would seem that with all of the three 2025 class LB's returning (so far) along with Rojas and the 3 ISU transfers (2 seniors and 1 junior) that there are adequate numbers at LB.

The BWI guys also list positions where they see a need for further incoming transfers. CB, backup QB, OL depth, and DL pass rushers (#1 need).

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Seems like we have add lots of guys for the OL. DE seems to be the weakest link as you indicated.
 
Sheriff Coffee said:
Thanks. I think it is also interesting we only need them for one year. In years past, you'd want 8 deep at linebacker, or more. But going into the season with six is adequate because we can get six more next year in the portal. I am using LB and the numbers as an example. I find myself having to check my thinking because, in today's college football, we are only really talking about 2026. 2027 will include another 40% or more turnover in players.
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But even Cignetti has said he wants to get more on a model to get good recruiting classes, develop his recruits, and then just suppliment from the portal.

Hopefully Campbell will get high school recruiting back on track going forward as well. This year should be out of the ordinary due to the 2 player 2026 class at the December signing day when most of the best players commit, and the limited additions to is in a tough situation, and also a good bit of the 2025 class exiting due to the coaching change. Hope what happened in the last couple months isn't repeated for PSU....
 
GregInPitt said:
But even Cignetti has said he wants to get more on a model to get good recruiting classes, develop his recruits, and then just suppliment from the portal.

Hopefully Campbell will get high school recruiting back on track going forward as well. This year should be out of the ordinary due to the 2 player 2026 class at the December signing day when most of the best players commit, and the limited additions to is in a tough situation, and also a good bit of the 2025 class exiting due to the coaching change. Hope what happened in the last couple months isn't repeated for PSU....
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First, say and do are two vastly different things. I think it is a matter of how much resource and dollar commitment do staffs want to give to HS kids. I think position has a lot to do with it as well. For example, WR and CBs seem to do OK as true Frosh. QBs don't typically play well until they are in their 3rd or 4th year. Plus, they all cost different.

My bet is you will take what you can get. If you fall in love with a local HS kid or a kid that has always wanted to play for your school, you go for it as long as the NIL fits into your NIL budget. But there is no panic. You can always fill needs with kids that proved themselves at lower level schools and/or kids that got blocked by super starts at schools like AL, GA or tOSU.
 
GregInPitt said:
But even Cignetti has said he wants to get more on a model to get good recruiting classes, develop his recruits, and then just suppliment from the portal.

Hopefully Campbell will get high school recruiting back on track going forward as well. This year should be out of the ordinary due to the 2 player 2026 class at the December signing day when most of the best players commit, and the limited additions to is in a tough situation, and also a good bit of the 2025 class exiting due to the coaching change. Hope what happened in the last couple months isn't repeated for PSU....
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The 2027 class has a shot to get us back on track. A ton of high end PA talent. The problem is that Franklin was already on it. Campbell is starting from scratch. He has a shot at these 2027 kids. The problem is that he has to make up a lot of ground. I think 2028 is going to be the most normal recruiting class for PSU. 2027 will be a heavier lean on the portal but nothing like this year.
 
Sheriff Coffee said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/2011912076675940740
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His bio says he was a 2022 high school class recruit so it would seem he only has 1 year to play.

Guess it comes down to either playing D3 and having a great season or coming to PSU for a better education, a chance to compete for a top 20 team and experience the best game day atmosphere in sports likely from the sidelines, and finish off his college football career maybe even playing in a bowl game assuming Becht opts out.....
 
GregInPitt said:
His bio says he was a 2022 high school class recruit so it would seem he only has 1 year to play.

Guess it comes down to either playing D3 and having a great season or coming to PSU for a better education, a chance to compete for a top 20 team and experience the best game day atmosphere in sports likely from the sidelines, and finish off his college football career maybe even playing in a bowl game assuming Becht opts out.....
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Yep. The kid from Miami did the same thing. But the starter got hurt and he’s playing in the Natty on Monday
 
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