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Penn State football lands former blue chip lineman, SEC starter from portal

Penn State football has landed a former Texas A&M Aggie for the second time this offseason, earning a commitment from the one-time top OL in the Lone Star State, TJ Shanahan.

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© Caroline Bixler / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

Penn State football is already moving on to 2025 less than 24 hours after its season came to an end at the hands of Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

On Friday afternoon, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions earned a transfer portal commitment from former Texas A&M offensive lineman TJ Shanahan Jr.

Shanahan kept his commitment message short and sweet, simply announcing “Done Deal” on his social media.

Shanahan appeared in 10 games for Texas A&M as a redshirt freshman this season, making five starts. Battling through a spurt of injuries this fall, Shanahan was part of multiple 200-plus yard rushing performances for the Aggies in 2024.

A product of Westlake High School, Shanahan was ranked as the top interior offensive lineman in Texas by Rivals in the class of 2023. A four-star, Shanahan was the No. 170 overall recruit and No. 11 lineman in the Lone Star State in the On3 Industry Rankings.

Penn State football transfer portal tracker

TJ Shanahan becomes the fourth transfer to commitment to Penn State football this winter. He joins receivers Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross and former Texas A&M teammate Enai White.

With the Nittany Lions’ elimination from the College Football Playoff loss on Thursday night, the transfer portal window now reopens for Penn State players for a five-day period.

Outgoing transfers

  • Feyisayo Oluleye, WR – Entered portal on November 13.
  • Jerry Cross, TE – Entered portal on December 2. Committed to Memphis on December 21.
  • TA Cunningham, DL – Entered portal on December 9.
  • Beau Pribula, QB – Entered portal on December 15. Committed to Missouri on December 22.
  • Jason Estrella, WR – Entered portal on December 27.

Incoming transfers

  • Kyron Hudson, WR – Entered portal from USC on December 5. Committed on December 16.
  • Enai White, DE – Entered portal from Texas A&M on December 11. Committed on December 20.
  • Devonte Ross, WR – Entered portal from Troy on December 16. Committed on December 24.
  • TJ Shanahan, OL – Entered portal from Texas A&M on December 9. Committed on January 10.


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Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

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