Top transfer linebacker arrives for Penn State visit

For the second time in a week, Penn State football is hosting a top transfer portal linebacker on campus. On Monday, former North Carolina defender Amare Campbell posted on Instagram that he had arrived in State College for his visit with James Franklin and the Nittany Lions.

Campbell’s planned trip was first reported last week. The rising junior linebacker comes to Happy Valley off a visit with SMU.

North Carolina transfer LB Amare Campbell is at Penn State today for a visit. Had 11 TFL and 6.5 sacks last season.

VA native is the second LB transfer to visit, with Rutgers transfer Mohamed Toure at Penn State last Wednesday pic.twitter.com/Cd5XpFPUlZ

— Lexie Linderman (@lexieleigh28) May 5, 2025

Campbell is the top available linebacker in the transfer portal during the spring window, according to On3. As a sophomore, he was second on the Tar Heels’ roster with 76 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss. He also posted 6.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries in 2024.

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“I think we’re in good shape, but there’s some concerns there,” James Franklin said following the Blue-White Game. “You know, we lost a guy that we didn’t anticipate losing. As you guys know, we’re not a big portal team, but we’re going to have to address some issues. So, if there is a linebacker out there that wants to come and be a part of our program and play for LBU, the most historic linebacker program in the history of college football, there’s an opportunity here to join the room and compete. So we will look at that.

“I think we got enough in the room, but to get through an entire season, if we get some injuries, it could get challenging. So, we’re going to look at the portal and see if we can find a solution. As you guys know, more times than not, we’d like it to be somebody that is connected to us and that we know, because we got a really good locker room. And I will make sure that we’re bringing the right people in our locker room. We’re very protective of that.”

Campbell is one of two linebackers that Franklin and his staff have targeted in the portal. Last week, Penn State hosted former All-Big Ten linebacker Mohamed Toure, the brother of Nittany Lion safety Vaboue Toure. The ex-Rutgers defender has also visited Miami and Indiana.

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