Ex-Penn State football defender announces transfer portal pick

Another former Penn State football player has found a landing spot out of the transfer portal. On Sunday, ex-Nittany Lions defensive lineman Davon Townley committed to Missouri State in the FCS. A four-star prospect in high school, Townley played limited snaps for Penn State during his three seasons in Happy Valley.

Davon Townley announces commitment to Missouri State

While transfer portal movement has slowed considerably after the closing of the spring window last month, with over 1,200 players still available according to On3’s transfer portal tracker, there are still plenty of decisions to be made.

One name that can be crossed off the list is former Penn State defensive lineman Davon Townley, who committed to Missouri State on Sunday. Townley announced the move to the FCS program via social media.

Committed!! 💪🏽@Coach_Dennison@Ry_Beard@CoachLDScott @MOStateFootball @OG_Sacrifice pic.twitter.com/ObhuINS3I8

— Davon Tonwley jr (@D1Davon) May 26, 2024

Davon Townley entered the transfer portal on April 26, following his redshirt sophomore season in 2023. Townley appeared in 10 games over his Nittany Lion career, recording four tackles. He is only the third player ever to return to the Penn State football program after entering the transfer portal, doing so following the 2022 season.

From Minneapolis, Minnesota, Townley was the top player in the state and the No. 6 edge rusher in On3’s 2021 class rankings. A top 100 prospect per On3, Townley chose the Nittany Lions over Oregon, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among other programs.

Townley made the switch from defensive end to the interior before last season.

Penn State football transfer portal tracker

Penn State football saw eight transfer portal departures during the spring window. Most of those former Nittany Lions have found new programs in the weeks since, with only two players who have yet to announce decisions.

Penn State spring portal departures:

• KeAndre Lambert-Smith (entered April 15) – committed to Auburn on April 24.
• Malick Meiga (April 16) – committed to Coastal Carolina on May 8.
• Davon Townley (April 26) – committed to Missouri State on May 26.
• David Kency (May 2) – decision TBD.
• King Mack (May 2) – committed to Alabama on May 10.
• London Montgomery (May 2) – committed to Eastern Carolina on May 18.
• Malik McClain (May 2) – committed to Arizona State on May 12.
• Golden Israel-Achumba (May 2) – decision TBD.

James Franklin and the Nittany Lions have not taken anyone from the portal this spring.

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