'25 (in-season) - '26 CFB Portal Thread

[psu0408]

The reality of the new CFB is that everyone on the roster is a 1-year rental player, unless PSU and its affiliates get into the habit of offering and enforcing multi-year NIL deals with liquidated damages clauses.

Several of the ISU guys are upperclassmen. Zero chance they're sticking around if they don't start or make the 2-deep this year. Makes sense to plug the roster with known commodities on a rebuild year and look for big recruiting classes moving forward. Portal-wise, I don't see PSU ever being the program that offers $5-8 mil for a QB and $2m+ for elite edge rushers. Best chance of keeping guys is recruiting and development vs. the portal.

 

[rigi19040]

We need to stop thinking of the guys who committed as Iowa St (or other school) players. Once they commit, they are Penn State players. Otherwise it’s the equivalent of still trying to claim the guys who left as Penn State players. They may have been at one time, but they chose to leave. Think of Chop, AK and Trace. Even though they transferred in, they were Penn State players once they did.

Not really. Half the new commits will be in the portal next year.

 

[rigi19040]

It should be the way all coaches operate but it’s not. Our previous coaches, including both Franklin and Paterno, have shown favoritism to certain players whether it was seniority or “their guys” or just because of promises made.

According to Chase Sowell’s dad, Campbell is more like Cignetti in that he doesn’t care about any of that other stuff and just plays the best guy.

Ask the backups dad if he thinks the best players are all playing.

 

[rigi19040]

Yep, and the rot was to such degree that we gave up the most yards and points to Rutgers ever in the history of PSU during the “good” half of the 2025 season, winning by sheer luck. This is after Terry (God bless him!) simplified the defense and such. There were some very good players on this team but overall the team was riddled with entitlement and dysfunction.

Aren't Conner and smith part of the rot?

 

[doctornick]

Losing 50 players to the Portal when you are at Penn State, getting a good degree, and have a good coach coming in is rediculous. Many of them were high end recruits I'd think Campbell would want to keep.

This is my thing. On one hand, there was probably some attitude or motivation issues among some players. It was pretty evident based on the "body language" of the team post-Oregon (and in big games and after losses in other years) that a major recentering of attitude needed to occur. The mindset was just not there under Franklin.

So some loss of players was needed and expected, but a lot more have portaled than I was expecting. I feel like there was definitely some real talent there that in many cases should be able to be cultivated. And I'm skeptical that the depth players brought in from ISU (not the higher end guys) are de factor "better" than who was already on the team. So I'm a little worried that Campbell is going too far in the "bringing in his guys" - players he's comfortable with - compared to getting more results from who was already at PSU. I dunno.

I would have thought it would have been more in the realm of bringing in 10-15 players from Iowa St* and having maybe 25-30 guys portal away from PSU. The exodus is more than I have hoped/expected. This is more turnover than I like to see and I am afraid there will be some conflict between established PSU guys and the ISU guys being brought in.

*=not talking about 2026 recruits here but players already at Iowa St. It makes sense to bring in whomever possible for the Class of 2026 so we actually have some freshmen. So bring as many Iowa St (or other school) recruits or unattached players for that as you can.

 

[doctornick]

If you look at the position 'rooms' and what has happened so far just based on the portal ins and out, not overall talent lost from graduation:

QB - Manske is the key here. He appears better than the back ups we had behind Grunk so call it a wash
RB - very unproven group though Martin did well in the bowl game and got the ISU starter and OSU kid - Wash at minimum, potential upgrade
WR - Howard stayed and the rest of a bad group left. All the ISU kids are bigger and another potential guy joining today. Probable big upgrade.
TE - 2 in, 3 out, does Olesh develop is the only thing that may sway this and change the grade but generally a plus for next year but minus long term potentially
OL - They kept a couple of the main guys, got a couple young OT and two huge OG. Still need a starter level OT couple more OL for depth but very few of our 4/5 star OL recuits have panned out recently. Another wash with a TBD to see how the new OL coach develops.

Overall I'd give the offense an upgrade just due to the WR group. Securing a legit starting LOT would make it a big +

DT - UCLA kid cancels out Gilliam, OSU kid cancels out Wafle, ISU kid cancels out Artis, at least 1 more soon to be added. Wasn't any studs in teh group to begin with so this is an upgrade.
DE - Colorado kid and Harvey cancel out but still need to pick up 2-3 more in this position. Kept some good ones of the roster but portal wise a loss so far.
LB - Losing Campbell hurts but Bacon is rated higher. Picked up two other LB who are bigger than Speca/Wylie. Probably need one more, but the trade bacon for Campbell is a win.
CB - Big minus so far. Hunter Sowell may be a CB but hes listed as safety. He's on the small side but either way he's the only one we've picked up. Definitely need a couple more.
S - the 2 ISU kids are at least as good as Lane and Mack, if not better. A little bigger and know the system. Slight upgrade.

Defense is a downgrade so far as DE/CB are a lot worse but LB/DT/S are better. Getting the right couple guys to fill out the DE/CB rooms would change the grade here.

Great write up. I feel like overall there has been a slight upgrade for 2026 and if we can pull in a few more higher end players, should be a solid net positive. I worry more about depth and higher upside for the younger players going forward - seems like we have traded a bunch of "might turn out to be great" guys for "solid but unlikely to be more than average". Which can often be the difference between 8-4/9-3 and going 11-1 and getting the CCG/CFP. You need guys to develop and be able to fill in when the front line starts get hurt or need a breather.

 

[Fred8811]

Not really. Half the new commits will be in the portal next year.

How do they make $ if they portal every year?

 

[WPB_lion]

Aren't Conner and smith part of the rot?

Smith was part of the solution to the rot because he was able to message bad attitudes and create some enthusiasm from a lost team. He was not the cause of the rot.

 

[Itraindogs]

This is my thing. On one hand, there was probably some attitude or motivation issues among some players. It was pretty evident based on the "body language" of the team post-Oregon (and in big games and after losses in other years) that a major recentering of attitude needed to occur. The mindset was just not there under Franklin.

So some loss of players was needed and expected, but a lot more have portaled than I was expecting. I feel like there was definitely some real talent there that in many cases should be able to be cultivated. And I'm skeptical that the depth players brought in from ISU (not the higher end guys) are de factor "better" than who was already on the team. So I'm a little worried that Campbell is going too far in the "bringing in his guys" - players he's comfortable with - compared to getting more results from who was already at PSU. I dunno.

I would have thought it would have been more in the realm of bringing in 10-15 players from Iowa St* and having maybe 25-30 guys portal away from PSU. The exodus is more than I have hoped/expected. This is more turnover than I like to see and I am afraid there will be some conflict between established PSU guys and the ISU guys being brought in.

*=not talking about 2026 recruits here but players already at Iowa St. It makes sense to bring in whomever possible for the Class of 2026 so we actually have some freshmen. So bring as many Iowa St (or other school) recruits or unattached players for that as you can.

Here is the issue. In this climate there is nothing to indicate that offers were not made to many of the players who left. The problem is, however, that there may very well be a disconnect between the staff's valuation and that of the player's. This disconnect does not even include players simply identifying with their previous coach (HC and Position) and wanting to go with them; not willing to compete for a spot, and so on.

When you look at the number of players in the portal it is easy to see that this level of attrition is not unique to Penn State; it is simply more pronounced because of a coaching and culture shift.

Its one thing to want to retain a player and quite another that you can

 

[Itraindogs]

Great write up. I feel like overall there has been a slight upgrade for 2026 and if we can pull in a few more higher end players, should be a solid net positive. I worry more about depth and higher upside for the younger players going forward - seems like we have traded a bunch of "might turn out to be great" guys for "solid but unlikely to be more than average". Which can often be the difference between 8-4/9-3 and going 11-1 and getting the CCG/CFP. You need guys to develop and be able to fill in when the front line starts get hurt or need a breather.

And I agree, but its now a matter of dollars. How much to commit to Meadows (Michigan) a 5* pass rusher who is very raw in year one? Two? Three? years. And what is your expected return on investment if he bails in year two?

If I were going to "invest" in potential, I would need guardrails that will allow me to count on future production as I continue to pay them while they sit on the bench otherwise it makes much more sense to pick a roster out of the portal

 

[Bison13]

UMD had a few guys hit the portal in the last two days.

https://247sports.com/player/neeo-avery-46116237/college-298900/

We originally had this kid, but he stayed local. His younger brother is a top 25 2028 basketball player as well.

Here is a Baltimore area kid from JMU. Hada great season for them as a freshman

https://247sports.com/player/sahir-west-46139355/college-319903/

 

[Catch1lion]

And I agree, but its now a matter of dollars. How much to commit to Meadows (Michigan) a 5* pass rusher who is very raw in year one? Two? Three? years. And what is your expected return on investment if he bails in year two?

If I were going to "invest" in potential, I would need guardrails that will allow me to count on future production as I continue to pay them while they sit on the bench otherwise it makes much more sense to pick a roster out of the portal

Current mode seems to value production over potential as you know.

 

[NOYDB]

 

[Midnighter]

Dellinger is the best in the business. Again - how long can this last?

 

[PAgeologist]

This is my thing. On one hand, there was probably some attitude or motivation issues among some players. It was pretty evident based on the "body language" of the team post-Oregon (and in big games and after losses in other years) that a major recentering of attitude needed to occur. The mindset was just not there under Franklin.

So some loss of players was needed and expected, but a lot more have portaled than I was expecting. I feel like there was definitely some real talent there that in many cases should be able to be cultivated. And I'm skeptical that the depth players brought in from ISU (not the higher end guys) are de factor "better" than who was already on the team. So I'm a little worried that Campbell is going too far in the "bringing in his guys" - players he's comfortable with - compared to getting more results from who was already at PSU. I dunno.

I would have thought it would have been more in the realm of bringing in 10-15 players from Iowa St* and having maybe 25-30 guys portal away from PSU. The exodus is more than I have hoped/expected. This is more turnover than I like to see and I am afraid there will be some conflict between established PSU guys and the ISU guys being brought in.

*=not talking about 2026 recruits here but players already at Iowa St. It makes sense to bring in whomever possible for the Class of 2026 so we actually have some freshmen. So bring as many Iowa St (or other school) recruits or unattached players for that as you can.

Thats a matter of timing. Did Campbell push some PSU guys out by bringing in his guys or did he know the PSU guys were portaling so he grabbed from ISU. And we needed bodies, even practice squad type guys.

Either way, it seems Campbell brought in enough guys for a smoother transition/start and culture change. Now he needs to fill in spots with some higher end players.

 

[Big_O]

I wonder if next year is going to be as crazy. Between the record number of players in the portal (more than a third of all players) to things like entering the portal after you have signed a contract with a school to go to another school. There may be some reckoning coming to deal with this ruse by players, agents and schools in the name of “college” football.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Hayes returning + the expected commitment from the State College kid = we done at RB? Or would we take Frazier or Phillips out of the portal still?

 

[WVilleLion23]

I wonder if next year is going to be as crazy. Between the record number of players in the portal (more than a third of all players) to things like entering the portal after you have signed a contract with a school to go to another school. There may be some reckoning coming to deal with this ruse by players, agents and schools in the name of “college” football.

Crazier IMO. NIL $ some teams will be willing/able to spend will ^^^^

 

[JoePaMajorCFBrecord409Ws]

What we're doing is totally different than what Indiana, Colorado, or any other team has done before. Why are you whining about 20 ISU guys? You do realize that by the time we're all done, we'll probably add 80+ new players to rebuild the entire roster. Why don't you explain what you'd be doing differently?

First of all, the absolute cream of the top of any P4 roster are going to be legit D1 Players (Take a look at the best players Cignetti brought with him from JMU - and JMU was only an elite FCS program when Cignetti initially recruited many of them, not a G5 FBS team, let alone a P4 team). Claiming that none of ISU's players can compete in the mighty b1g homer conference is laughable bs nonsense as evidenced by the fact they beat Iowa in each of the last 2 years. ISU also beat a very good 10-2 Miami team in their bowl game (elected not to go to a bowl game this year).

 

[PSU4U]

Not if that means running off one of our own. Peoples is a talented prospect for sure, but by the end of the season he was third/fourth string at OSU. It isn’t like we stole their starter.

Who would be left to run off, most are already gone to the portal. I guess there are chances someone who is now in the portal could come back but of the RB's who left via the portal which of those would we want back?

 

[PAgeologist]

Who would be left to run off, most are already gone to the portal. I guess there are chances someone who is now in the portal could come back but of the RB's who left via the portal which of those would we want back?

No offense to him personally, but Smith is not a BIG level back. Martin and Hayes (both appear to be staying) have potential to be good.

 

[Bison13]

Crazier IMO. NIL $ some teams will be willing/able to spend will ^^^^

Agree, billionaires will now view this like running a pro team and expect championships. This will just be the NFL without multiyear contracts or a salary cap. Texas Tech might go to 50+ million next year

 

[PSUFTG]

When you look at the number of players in the portal it is easy to see that this level of attrition is not unique to Penn State; it is simply more pronounced because of a coaching and culture shift.

Wut? Only Iowa State and Oklahoma State have lost more kids to the portal.
Many programs - including those who lost coaching staffs - have only a small fraction of the exits as PSU has had thus far.

Are you trying to make a serious post here? Or just TIC.

 

[PSUFTG]

I wonder if next year is going to be as crazy. Between the record number of players in the portal (more than a third of all players) to things like entering the portal after you have signed a contract with a school to go to another school. There may be some reckoning coming to deal with this ruse by players, agents and schools in the name of “college” football.

It will not get better - and may get worse (as difficult as it may be to imagine how it could possibly be worse) - unless and until "college" sports has sane "adults in the room" leadership.
That doesn't seem to be coming anytime soon, but one can hope.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

ugh

 

[Tom McAndrew]

LOL

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

ugh

Damn. Had to see this coming once he went down there though.

 

[Sullivan]

Who would be left to run off, most are already gone to the portal. I guess there are chances someone who is now in the portal could come back but of the RB's who left via the portal which of those would we want back?

And Peoples averaged 5.6 yards per carry this season for Ohio State.

 

[WVilleLion23]

ugh

That sucks but I expected that to be outcome when it was mentioned he was visiting the Aggies. They probably went so over the top with making him feel important, not to mention a nice , he was like Penn who!

 

[Midnighter]

I wonder if next year is going to be as crazy. Between the record number of players in the portal (more than a third of all players) to things like entering the portal after you have signed a contract with a school to go to another school. There may be some reckoning coming to deal with this ruse by players, agents and schools in the name of “college” football.

Unless Campbell leaves, shouldn’t be anywhere near this chaotic (for PSU). Notice not a lot of kids following Kiffin….

 

[Lil Nicky Scarfo]

First of all, the absolute cream of the top of any P4 roster are going to be legit D1 Players (Take a look at the best players Cignetti brought with him from JMU - and JMU was only an elite FCS program when Cignetti initially recruited many of them, not a G5 FBS team, let alone a P4 team). Claiming that none of ISU's players can compete in the mighty b1g homer conference is laughable bs nonsense as evidenced by the fact they beat Iowa in each of the last 2 years. ISU also beat a very good 10-2 Miami team in their bowl game (elected not to go to a bowl game this year).

All one has to do is watch the Monday night football player intros and - liberally sprinkled amongst the Ohio States, LSUs, etc are players from places you’ve never heard of - Northwestern State, Arkansas Tech, etc etc. Some kids mature later, some grow up on the farm and don’t have the time or money to go to 7 on 7 showcases, some fall through the cracks. Campbell is bringing in kids who have proven they can handle the freedom of being away from home, classes, etc and have actually produced on the field.

The portal is so valuable because you are getting pre-vetted players in a way. These guys have produced against similarly-situated athletes rather than running roughshod over a bunch of outmatched preppy kids from the town next door

 

[CyphaPSU]

Hopefully Peoples’ commitment does not mean Martin goes on portal watch.

Seems like a positive development.

 

[PSUForever]

I am most concerned about defense. Our entire D line left except Granville (thankfully), Kemajou, Cook and Andrews. We have replacements but who knows if it is an upgrade. Same at LB. We have Rojas. Campbell was good and he gone. I guess the other guy is about the same. Then who? Tatsch? The defense was lousy this year and hopefully that was coaching and culture and attitude because I don't see any better talent.

 

[Itraindogs]

Wut? Only Iowa State and Oklahoma State have lost more kids to the portal.
Many programs - including those who lost coaching staffs - have only a small fraction of the exits as PSU has had thus far.

Are you trying to make a serious post here? Or just TIC.

"More than 10 Power Four programs have lost 20 or more players to the portal, including Florida, Colorado, Florida State and Auburn." The issue is simply more pronounced at PSU for obvious reasons. You can clutch your pearls all you want, but this is par for the course in today's college landscape.

And for whom it will "get worse" will depend on a number of contingencies from program to program.

 

[Dbsteel]

This is my thing. On one hand, there was probably some attitude or motivation issues among some players. It was pretty evident based on the "body language" of the team post-Oregon (and in big games and after losses in other years) that a major recentering of attitude needed to occur. The mindset was just not there under Franklin.

So some loss of players was needed and expected, but a lot more have portaled than I was expecting. I feel like there was definitely some real talent there that in many cases should be able to be cultivated. And I'm skeptical that the depth players brought in from ISU (not the higher end guys) are de factor "better" than who was already on the team. So I'm a little worried that Campbell is going too far in the "bringing in his guys" - players he's comfortable with - compared to getting more results from who was already at PSU. I dunno.

I would have thought it would have been more in the realm of bringing in 10-15 players from Iowa St* and having maybe 25-30 guys portal away from PSU. The exodus is more than I have hoped/expected. This is more turnover than I like to see and I am afraid there will be some conflict between established PSU guys and the ISU guys being brought in.

*=not talking about 2026 recruits here but players already at Iowa St. It makes sense to bring in whomever possible for the Class of 2026 so we actually have some freshmen. So bring as many Iowa St (or other school) recruits or unattached players for that as you can.

Good writeup. I think you summarized what I'm thinking- I for sure expected turnover- big turnover. But more along the lines of 30 guys in the portal and graduating, 10 ISU guys coming over, and the rest from other schools. We are still Penn State?? And surely Campbell had to do some research on the guys we had to keep some of them.

This is ridiculous. They need some limits in place. Awful.

 

[Dbsteel]

Unless Campbell leaves, shouldn’t be anywhere near this chaotic (for PSU). Notice not a lot of kids following Kiffin….

Can they follow Kiffin? Ole Miss is still playing.....

 

[PSU4U]

And Peoples averaged 5.5 yards per carry.

In limited snaps. I would think that avg might improve with more carries. Good backs tend to get better as the game progresses. He was in a crowded room at OSU. I don't know much about his speed so that's either a plus or a minus. His size is OK but I tend to like my RB's bigger as in the 6'2" 225 range with some quicks. A little like Dancing Bears there's just not that many out there that possess being big rangy and fast.

 

[Sullivan]

In limited snaps. I would think that avg might improve with more carries. Good backs tend to get better as the game progresses. He was in a crowded room at OSU. I don't know much about his speed so that's either a plus or a minus. His size is OK but I tend to like my RB's bigger as in the 6'2" 225 range with some quicks. A little like Dancing Bears there's just not that many out there that possess being big rangy and fast.

He ran a 12.41 100-meter in high school.
He also ran a 15.81 110-meter hurdle:

James Peoples, Ohio State, Running Back

 

[Psumatt85]

I think it’s a naive take to assume all players are leaving over money. There is no proof out there of that. If Lane asked for more money than the staff thought he was worth, then so be it, but we don’t know that. You know what they say about assuming.

I’m guessing a professor in their major is switching schools!

 

[Midnighter]

Can they follow Kiffin? Ole Miss is still playing.....

Recruits can I would assume.