Penn State 2025 conference foe among early frontrunners for Beau Pribula

Penn State football is adjusting to the new makeup of its quarterback room after backup Beau Pribula announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Sunday evening. But less than 48 hours later, early reports indicate that a reunion between the Nittany Lions and the redshirt sophomore gunslinger may be possible next fall.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Big Ten rival Iowa has emerged as one of the schools to watch to land Pribula out of the portal. The Hawkeyes are joined by UCF and Missouri as the three early frontrunners for the former Nittany Lion.

NEW: UCF, Iowa, and Missouri are three early schools to watch for Penn State transfer QB Beau Pribula, @PeteNakos_ reports👀https://t.co/bz1SjCZ0Mq pic.twitter.com/8XsVQ32ind

— On3 (@On3sports) December 17, 2024

Iowa returns to the rotation of conference opponents for Penn State football in 2025. James Franklin and the Nittany Lions will travel to Kinnick Stadium for a Week 8 matchup on October 18.

The Hawkeyes added ex-Auburn quarterback Hank Brown from the portal last week, but could be looking to create a competition for the starter’s spot this spring.

As for the other schools mentioned, it’s also worth noting that Beau Pribula shares representation and has an existing relationship with incoming Missouri four-star quarterback Matt Zollers. A Penn State target in the 2025 cycle, Zollers is recovering from a significant leg injury sustained during his senior season. Pribula could serve as a bridge from current Tigers quarterback Brady Cook as Zollers heals and adjusts to the college game.

“We’ve got problems in college football. And I can give you my word; Beau Pribula did not want to leave our program and he did not want to leave our program until the end of the season,” James Franklin said of the situation on Monday. “But the way the portal is and the timing of it and the way our team is playing, and when you play the position of quarterback, and there’s only one spot, and those spots are filling up, he felt like he was put in a no-win situation, and I agree with him.”

A three-star in the class of 2022, Pribula will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

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