Penn State cornerback, walk-on linebacker, enter NCAA transfer portal

Two Penn State football players officially entered their name into the NCAA transfer portal a day after another former Lion exited it by picking a new school.

Cornerback Storm Duck is leaving the Lions just four months after arriving on campus. The former All-ACC second-team pick at North Carolina first transferred to Penn State back in December and enrolled in January. He fit in quickly but was only going to be a rotation defender for coordinator Manny Diaz’s defense in a stacked position group. Thus, it appears he has elected to try and find a school he can start at instead.

In other news, walk-on linebacker Bobby Walchak has hit the portal. He came to the Lions in the Class of 2021.

Last but not least, former Penn State offensive lineman Jimmy Christ entered the portal last Sunday and is already out of it. He is now at Virginia, which is the school he originally committed to in high school before decommitting and becoming a Lion instead.

Here’s a full look at all the comings and goings in the portal for the Lions this offseason plus team needs, offers out, and more.

What is Penn State looking for in the portal?

Penn State is not only losing players to the portal, of course, at this time of the year. It can also make additions to its roster via the mechanism players can use to find a new college home.

What are the Lions targeting now after adding at cornerback, in the specialists room, and at receiver during the winter window?

“I think we’re in a good place right now,” head coach James Franklin said Saturday. “But, I think we need some more depth and more competition at defensive tackle. I think we need some more depth and competition at wide receiver, because I do think we could get, by West Virginia, or by game four or game five, I think we could have six guys that we feel good about.

“But, it’s not competitive. Right now, we’re trying to figure out who the third is, although a guy [Omari Evans] stepped up today. I want there to be legitimate competition at every position.”

He went on to add:

“We won’t turn down a great player at any position,” Franklin said. “The coaches were talking about [the portal]. The phones are buzzing. It’s all over the place right now. It’s crazy. I addressed it with our team in the locker room afterward.

“But, those two positions, specifically, and then a great difference maker at any position.”

Which players have Penn State offers so far?

Three players from other schools have reported a Penn State offer as of the morning of April 19.

Emmanuel Pregnon, a guard from Wyoming, is one of the hottest names in the portal. He has received offers from numerous Power Five programs, including the Lions. As of this writing, he has not revealed which schools he will visit.

Former Tulsa offensive lineman Jaden Muskrat also has an offer from Penn State. He, too, has received plenty of interest since putting his name into the portal.

“That dude is really athletic,” a Power 5 personnel director said told On3’s Matt Zenitz. “He plays bigger than he is. He’s only listed at 6-3 and I haven’t seen him in person, but he looks bigger to me than that. But he’s a dude who’s athletic and can move. … I think he can get stronger. I think his play strength is still developing. He’s still getting there in terms of that. But the biggest thing is he can move, he’s played and he’s played in big games and against high level competition and has shown up well and held up well.”

On the other side of the ball, Penn State offered former Louisiana-Monroe defensive end Anthony Campbell. At 6-foot-6, 277 pounds, the school he moving he picks could have the option to move him inside.

“That dude has shown it all,” a Power 5 personnel director told Zenitz. “He’s shown it against good competition, he’s thick, he’s strong. He can move. I think he’s got versatility, too. He can be an interior rusher. I think he can flex outside. … I think that dude has everything that you’re looking for in terms of a guy who’s going to come in and contribute right away and you can use him in multiple packages and he can play all three downs for you.”

Comings and goings

PSU roster losses to the portal:

QB Christian Veilleux is at Pittsburgh for spring practice.

RB Keyvone Lee visited Mississippi State over the weekend but is not yet committed anywhere.

WR Jaden Dottin is still seeking a new home.

OL Maleek McNeil is still seeking a new home.

OT Jimmy Christ is still seeking a new home after becoming the first Lion to enter the spring portal window on April 16. He is moving on to Virginia.

DE Rodney McGraw is at Louisville for spring practice.

DT Fatorma Mulbah is at West Virginia for spring practice.

LB Bobby Walchak entered the portal on April 21.

CB Jeffrey Davis Jr. committed to Stony Brook.

LB Jamari Buddin: He left for New Mexico State.

CB Marquis Wilson was at Purdue over the weekend but is not yet committed anywhere.

CB Storm Duck arrived from North Carolina for spring practice. He’s now in the portal, however.

PSU transfer portal roster gains

RB Trey Potts is coming to Penn State from Minnesota later this year.

WR Malik McClain arrived from Florida State for spring practice.

WR Dante Cephas is coming from Kent State later this year.

K Alex Felkins arrived from Columbia for spring practice.

P Riley Thompson arrived from Florida Atlantic for spring practice.