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New Penn State football transfer portal offer extended to Division II defender

Penn State football has a brand new transfer portal target.

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Penn State football transfer portal, Donovan Callis
Sep 19, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins (3) scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The spring transfer window has now come to a close, with yesterday being the final day for new players to enter the transfer portal. While the Penn State football lineup for the fall opener against West Virginia is shaping up to look similar to the team that fans saw during the Blue/White game, there are still some areas of concern when it comes to depth at wide receiver and defensive tackle. The loss of All-ACC honorable mention corner, Storm Duck, may also raise some concerns at the cornerback position. However, the Nittany Lions are actively working to address these issues, as evidenced by their recent offer to Division II cornerback, Donovan Callis, who has shown promise on the field. Despite the challenges, Penn State football remains committed to building a strong and competitive team for the upcoming season.

A new Penn State football transfer portal target has emerged for the Nittany Lions

Penn State football has its eyes set on the prize with the recent transfer portal scholarship offer extended to Division II cornerback Donovan Callis. Callis, a senior cornerback and standout for the ECU Tigers, has an impressive track record with 27 games under his belt, where he recorded three interceptions, three tackles for loss, and 77 tackles.

Not to mention, he’s also forced three fumbles, recovered two, and defended 20 passes. While the transition from D2 to Penn State football may seem like a big leap, the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff is impressed with Callis’ skills and sees potential in him. As the team gears up for summer ball, locking down the roster with these last-minute portal additions will be crucial for their success.

Nittany Lions are still yet to address two biggest team needs

The transfer portal has been uneventful for Penn State football thus far, with no major additions in the positions of need highlighted by head coach James Franklin after the Blue/White spring game: wide receiver and defensive tackle. While the team has extended offers, no new players have committed yet. Despite this, the Nittany Lions still have time to address depth concerns, and some younger players, such as Omari Evans and Zane Durant, have been making strides during spring ball. As a result, it remains to be seen if Penn State will make any significant moves in the transfer portal going forward.



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Penn State football trending with No. 1 recruit in Virginia

Penn State football is battling for the No. 1 recruit in Virginia, a major linebacker target.

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Penn State football, No. 1 recruit in Virginia
Nov 14, 2020; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, a highly anticipated football recruit, Chris Cole, visited Happy Valley, home of Penn State football. The visit proved to be a resounding success as Cole had an exceptional experience interacting with head coach James Franklin and the coaching staff. According to the RPM (Recruiting Prediction Machine), the Nittany Lions are positioned to take the lead in securing the commitment of this immensely talented four-star prospect. Currently, Penn State holds the second-best odds among all the schools vying for Cole’s commitment.

Penn State football trending with No. 1 recruit in Virginia

Penn State football’s well-deserved reputation as “Linebacker U” continues to hold strong, and the program aims to uphold this legacy in the coming years. Chris Cole, an impressive four-star linebacker from Salen High School in Virginia, made his presence felt on campus during his visit last weekend. All indications point to positive developments for James Franklin and his 2024 recruiting class at this juncture.

According to the respected 247 Sports rankings, Chris Cole holds an impressive standing. He is currently regarded as the No. 65 player in the nation, the sixth-best linebacker in the 2024 class, and the top recruit in Virginia. These rankings underscore his exceptional talent and potential.

At present, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Penn State football emerge as the frontrunners in the race for Cole’s commitment. The RPM predicts that the Nittany Lions are in second place and gaining momentum. If his recent visit is any indication, with its positive outcome, Penn State may have a strong chance of securing a commitment from Cole before the end of the 2024 recruiting cycle. Acquiring the No. 1 recruit in Virginia would undoubtedly be a significant triumph for Penn State football, boosting their recruiting efforts as they approach the summer and the 2023 season.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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Penn State football ties major national powers for most commits in 2024 class

Penn State football recruiting has the most commits in the country.

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Penn State football, 2024 class
Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin speaks in a press conference after defeating the Utah Utes in the 109th Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, Penn State football recruiting landed three new commitments: two three-star players and one four-star defender. With these three brand new recruits, the Nittany Lions are now tied with some of the nation’s best programs, such as Michigan and Notre Dame, for the most commits in the 2024 recruiting class. James Franklin boosted his class from 14 commits to 17 during the first Sunday of June, which is a great indicator of even bigger success to come.

Penn State football recruiting lands 3 commits in one day

The first weekend of June is an eagerly anticipated time for Penn State football recruiting fans. In college football, June holds great significance as it marks the beginning of the official visit season, and Penn State has a strong understanding of this importance. Head Coach James Franklin has consistently proven himself as a dominant recruiter during official visits, and once again, he showcased his prowess by securing commitments from three highly sought-after prospects in just a matter of days.

Kicking off the weekend, in the early afternoon, Penn State received a commitment from Deryc Plazz, a three-star lineman hailing from Florida. Plazz’s decision to choose Penn State is a significant win for the program, as he had been a target of the team’s recruitment efforts for an extended period.

Following Plazz’s announcement, three-star defensive end Xavier Gilliam from Maryland also committed to Penn State. Gilliam’s commitment further strengthens the Nittany Lions’ defense and adds depth to their 2024 recruiting class.

Lastly, in the late evening, Penn State secured a commitment from Dejaun Lane, a four-star safety/linebacker. Lane’s decision to join the Nittany Lions’ program is a testament to their relentless pursuit and the appeal of playing for a prestigious football program.

These three commitments carry immense significance for Penn State football. Not only were these recruits high-priority targets for the team, but their decisions are also expected to bolster Penn State’s 2024 class in the composite rankings. Additionally, with these commitments, Penn State joins the ranks of several top programs in terms of the number of recruits secured, further solidifying their standing in the college football landscape.

Nittany Lions tie national powers for No. 1 spot in commits

Penn State football has made an impressive start to their 2024 recruiting class. With 17 hard commitments, they currently boast one of the highest numbers of commits among college football programs nationwide. In fact, only three other teams, namely Michigan, Notre Dame, and Wake Forrest, are on par with Penn State with their own 17 commitments in the 2024 class.

This early success in the recruiting cycle is certainly promising for Penn State. It indicates that the program is attracting talented prospects and solidifying its standing as a competitive force in college football. The fact that these positive developments have transpired within the first few days of June further suggests that Penn State football is on an upward trajectory, generating excitement and optimism among fans and supporters.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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BREAKING: Penn State football lands four-star defender Dejuan Lane

Penn State football is getting its summer recruiting off on the right foot.

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Penn State Football, four-star safety Dejuan Lane
April 15, 2023. Penn State football coach James Franklin enters Beaver Stadium prior to the annual Blue-White Game. Credit: Grace Carella // Basic Blues Nation.

June starts a busy and important month for Penn State football recruiting. James Franklin and the Nittany Lions kicked off the month by hosting close to 15 prospects in Happy Valley over the weekend. Those official visits are already bearing fruit, as Penn State has earned a commitment from four-star defender Dejuan Lane.

Penn State football lands four-star defender Dejuan Lane

Dejuan Lane is a four-star safety/linebacker in the class of 2024 out of the Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland. 247Sports rates Lane as the 21st overall safety in the country and the 6th-best prospect in Maryland for the 2024 cycle. The 6-2, 200-pound prospect has such a large frame that outlets such as On3 have Lane listed as a linebacker rather than a safety. 

Penn State has been trending in Lane’s recruitment for the last several weeks. On3 put in a prediction for the Nittany Lions to land Lane before his visit to Happy Valley on the weekend of June 2. Dejuan Lane chose Penn State over North Carolina, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma, among others. 

Nittany Lions recruiting is ready to take off this summer

James Franklin and his staff are poised for a massive summer on the recruiting trail. Coming into the weekend, Penn State football had the No. 7 overall class in the country for 2024, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. At the start of the weekend, half of Penn State’s 14 committed prospects were four-stars. Others, like recently committed quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, are expected to rise to four-star status before signing day. 

Lane is the third commit from a handful of top prospects on campus this weekend. The Nittany Lions are also set to host top wide receiver prospect Nick Marsh next weekend, who is currently projected to land at Penn State. Overall, all this means that a string of summer commitments could soon be underway for the Nittany Lions.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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