BREAKING: Penn State veteran defender enters transfer portal as winter workouts begin

Penn State football kicked off winter workouts this week. But a veteran Nittany Lions defender will no longer be with the program as the Nittany Lions look to return to the College Football Playoff.

On Tuesday evening, Pete Nakos of On3 reported that defense end Smith Vilbert had entered the transfer portal. The decision comes after the six-year veteran announced his plans to return for a seventh season in January.

Penn State EDGE Smith Vilbert has entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer, @On3sports has learned.

The class of 2019 recruit has 20 career tackles, two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks.https://t.co/VxSGJETKD9 pic.twitter.com/HIZT7lKgg3

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) February 25, 2025

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After missing the entire 2023 season due to injury, Vilbert played in every game last fall. He finishes his Penn State football career with 20 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks over 35 games.

Penn State football transfer portal tracker

Penn State football defensive end Smith Vilbert. © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Smith Vilbert becomes the 12th Nittany Lion from the 2024 roster to enter the transfer portal. To date, only wide receivers Feyisayo Oluleye and Jason Estrella have not committed or signed with new programs.

Roster departures (12)

• 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. Committed to Garden City Community College on January 24.
• Beau Pribula, QB – Entered portal on December 15. Committed to Missouri on December 22.
• Jason Estrella, WR – Entered portal on December 27.
• Mehki Flowers, WR – Entered portal on January 13. Committed to Akron on February 17.
• Tyler Johnson, WR – Entered portal on January 13. Committed to ECU on January 18. 
• Cam Miller, CB – Entered portal on January 13. Committed to Rutgers on January 16. 
• Tyrece Mills, S – Entered portal on January 14. Committed to UConn on January 28.
• Omari Evans, WR – Entered portal on January 14. Committed to Washington on January 22.
• Harrison Wallace III, WR – Entered portal on January 15. Committed to Ole Miss on January 19.
• Smith Vilbert, DE – Entered the portal on February 25.

Roster additions (6)

• 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.
• Owen Wafle, DL – Entered portal from Michigan on January 2. Committed on January 11.
• King Mack, S – Entered portal from Alabama on January 3. Committed on January 9.

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