Penn State football: Reviewing the impact of the 2023 transfer portal additions

James Franklin and his coaching staff have taken their time over the past few seasons to identify areas of need when it comes to utilizing the NCAA transfer portal. This approach has paid dividends for the program as the Penn State football team is able to complete its due diligence on a player before bringing them into the locker room. The Penn State football 2023 transfer portal additions could make or break the Nittany Lions college football playoff hopes.

Offensive Transfer Portal Additions

On the offensive side of the ball, Penn State has added a total of three players, and each of them will have an important role on the team this fall. Starting with the gem of this transfer portal class, wide receiver Dante Cephas, who joins the Nittany Lions after spending the first four years of his career at Kent State. A general concern surrounding the team this fall is the inexperience within the wide receiver room (besides KeAndre Lambert-Smith), but Cephas will fill that gap. In his career, he has racked up 145 receptions for 2,139 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cephas has a legitimate shot at becoming Drew Allar’s number-one option on offense.

Another wide receiver that the Penn State football team has added to its 2023 roster via the transfer portal is Malik McClain, who transferred in from Florida State. At FSU, McClain accounted for 33 receptions for 396 yards and 5 touchdowns. In March, he showcased his athleticism while running routes at Sean Clifford’s pro day back. He’s a player who will see the field this fall, but he will need to beat out Harrison Wallace if he wants to be a starter in 2023.

Finally, the Nittany Lions added former Minnesota running back Treyson “Trey” Potts this off-season. Potts is from Williamsport, PA so this is a homecoming for him. Obviously, he is not at Penn State to be the number one running back on the depth chart, but what he brings is the veteran presence that this room needs. Behind Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, Potts will be an important depth player who has 1,195 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career thus far.

Defensive Transfer Portal Additions

Defensively, Penn State added two players from the transfer portal. After CB Storm Duck re-entered the transfer portal, the secondary needed some much-needed depth which they have in Audavion Collins. The former Mississippi State Bulldog just finished his redshirt freshman season and has yet to appear in a game; however, at Penn State Collins will be able to compete for a special teams role and look to make an impact in the secondary as his career progresses.

Rounding out the Penn State football 2023 transfer portal additions was Alonzo Ford, the defensive tackle who has transferred from Old Dominion. Ford is coming off of a career year where he racked up 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks. With the loss of PJ Mustipher to the NFL, the Nittany Lions need a player like Ford who can step in and be productive. As we have seen over the past few seasons, you can never have enough bodies on the offensive and defensive line.

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