Penn State corner Marquis Wilson enters NCAA transfer portal
A Penn State cornerback has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Marquis Wilson, who also played some offense during his time with the Lions, is looking for a new college home. A source confirmed the news on Monday after the Lions previously completed their 2022 season by beating Utah in the Rose Bowl.
Wilson, who was not on the latest program roster that was released on Sunday, came to Penn State in 2019. He played 10 games that fall. After making a career-high five tackles against Michigan in 2020, the Lions listed him as an athlete in 2021 and used him at receiver and corner. He finished that season with three catches for 28 yards and six tackles while becoming the first Penn State player to see time on both sides of the ball since Dae’lun Darrien in 2017.
This past season, Wilson switched his focus back entirely to corner. He was the fourth or fifth option off the bench for position coach Terry Smith. Statistically, he finished with 20 stops and a pair of pass breakups.
“I think Marquis Wilson is performing like he did two years ago,” Smith said back in August.
Wilson has one season of eligibility remaining. The Connecticut native played at Windsor and Avon Old Farm during his prep career.
Penn State corner outlook in 2023
Wilson could have moved up the depth chart in 2023 by staying in State College. But, that was no guarantee.
While the Lions lost Joey Porter Jr., to the NFL Draft, Kalen King will keep his starting role. Johnny Dixon should move up to the other one. Slot corner Daequan Hardy should be back, as well. Cam Miller figures to play more in his second season. The Lions also added All-ACC cornerback Storm Duck out of the transfer portal. And, then signed Elliot Washington II, Zion Tracy, and King Mack at the position during the early December signing period.
In other words, the competition will be stiff for snaps in Smith’s room again in 2023.
“I mean, every coach is going to say this coming out of signing day, but I think at all three levels, I think we’ve got some dynamic playmakers,” Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said recently. “I really like what we added. I’m starting backwards, forwards in the secondary.
“A lot of guys that can factor in a lot of different ways in your defense. Just playmakers. I think that’s the thing that I would say in the back end.”
