Ex-Penn State football player retires after entering transfer portal

Many players enter the transfer portal in search of new opportunities. But for former Penn State football offensive lineman Golden Israel-Achumba, those new opportunities are now off the field. After taking a chance in the transfer portal last month, the ex-Nittany Lion is set to pursue music full-time following his decision to retire from college football.

Ex-Penn State football player retires after entering transfer portal

On May 2, Penn State football interior offensive lineman Golden Israel-Achumba made his decision to enter the transfer portal. This occurred on the same day that several Nittany Lions made the same decision. During his Nittany Lion career, Israel-Achumba appeared in 15 games over four seasons. The decision to enter the transfer portal made sense, as the redshirt senior continued to pursue additional playing time.

The Bowie, Maryland, native garnered interest from several MAC schools out of the portal, including Buffalo, Central Michigan, and Buffalo. But after pondering his future, Israel-Achumba decided to hang up his cleats to pursue a music career, FOX 5 DC reported on May 30.

Golden Israel-Achumba is a Dematha football star who went on to play for Penn State. But now he's focusing on music. https://t.co/11LAPOpv7W

— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) May 31, 2024

The decision doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise, as the Nittany Lion faithful have been aware of the offensive lineman’s musical talents for some time. Israel-Achumba had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem ahead of the 2023 Blue-White Game, where he blew Penn State fans away with his incredible voice.

Israel Achumba explains his decision to pursue music

Even while pursuing college football, Israel-Achumba was starting to get more serious about his signing career. In his interview with FOX 5 DC, he revealed that he has written eight songs thus far.

When asked about why he decided to continue down the path of music over football, his logic added up.

“To me, the biggest difference is the physicality,” he said. “You’re not running through a 300-pound guy while you’re on stage with a mic.”

But when he explained why he originally committed to Penn State football, Israel-Achumba said he wouldn’t change a thing.

“I chose Penn State because it reminded me the most of Dematha, with the high academics, the high football, the inexcusable to be great at both. I chose to pursue that because it reminded me of home.”

Israel-Achumba was a member of the 2020 recruiting class, where he was listed as a three-star interior offensive line prospect, according to 247Sports.

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