Penn State defensive end Davon Townley will return to the Lions after portal stint
A Penn State defensive lineman who entered the transfer portal following the 2022 season will not leave and instead return to the Lions for the 2023 season.
Defensive end Davon Townley Jr., put his name into the mechanism college players can use to have contact with other schools about switching programs on Dec. 7. He visited South Florida after that and claimed offers from the Bulls, Kentucky, Colorado, and Houston. However, he ultimately decided sticking with the Lions was his best option moving forward, a source confirmed to Blue-White Illustrated.
Townley Jr., came to Penn State in the Class of 2021. He took a redshirt year last season and then made three tackles over seven games this past fall. He will have work to do to find a bigger role in position coach John Scott Jr.‘s defensive line rotation. It starts with adding weight. He currently stands 6-foot-6, 267 pounds on the most recent roster.
“I wouldn’t say that they stressed (getting bigger),” Townley told BWI back in June. “I kind of just realized that it’s the next level and a lot of guys are going to be just as big as me or bigger. So I put on some weight so I can hang with the big guys.
“It’s been a good process. It is definitely something that kind of takes time. It’s not something that just happens overnight. You got to keep working. And, as you put on muscle and stuff like that, the running and the speed will come along with that.”
Townley Jr., has three years of eligibility left.
Penn State and the portal so far
Here are the latest updates about Penn State players who have entered the portal to date:
–Former backup but current third-string quarterback Christian Veilleux was the first Lion to announce his plans to enter the portal. He did so back on Nov. 29 and then officially entered it on Dec. 5. He committed to Pittsburgh on Dec. 18.
–Defensive end Rodney McGraw signaled his intention to do so on Dec. 4 and entered it on Dec. 5. He committed to Louisville on Dec. 18.
–Corner Jeffrey Davis Jr., did so on Dec. 5. He picked Stony Brook on Dec. 29.
–Defensive end Davon Townley Jr., entered on Dec. 7. He returned to the Lions on Jan. 13.
–Defensive tackle Fatorma Mulbahentered the portal as a graduate transfer on Jan. 5. He committed to West Virginia on Jan. 12.
–Walk-on linebacker Cody Romanoenters the portal on Jan. 10. He has not picked a new school as of Jan. 12.
–Walk-on longsnapper Michael Wright entered the portal on Dec. 1. He committed to Boston College on Jan. 12.
–Linebacker Jamari Buddin entered the portal on Jan. 12.
