What began as a season of high hopes for the Penn State Nittany Lions has fallen off a cliff, and with that comes heightened uncertainty for several key contributors. Entering 2025 ranked No. 2 in the AP preseason poll, Penn State opened 3-0 before falling three straight conference games. Adding to the chaos was the firing of head coach James Franklin following the Oct. 11 loss to Northwestern. As the program resets, these three players stand out as the most likely candidates to weigh their futures in the transfer portal.

1. Tony Rojas, LB – Junior

Rojas entered 2025 as one of Penn State’s defensive anchors, but a leg injury sidelined him for the road game at UCLA — and the unit’s performance wavered in his absence. The defense hasn’t looked the same since he went down. With NFL potential clearly present, Rojas now faces a decision: attempt to rehab and finish the year strong in State College, or explore a program where immediate return to form and exposure might be more certain. If he redshirts and preserves two years of eligibility, a Power Five school could see him as a ready-made starter, boosting his draft stock in the process. The coaching change adds another wrinkle to the story: a new defensive staff may recalibrate roles and schemes, increasing the uncertainty around his path. In that sense, Rojas may evaluate whether staying or transferring offers a clearer runway to the NFL.

2. Chaz Coleman, EDGE – Freshman

Coleman arrived with elite physical tools at his disposal. But in 2025 his opportunities have been limited, in part because of depth rotation and partly because the defensive staff is in flux amid the overall program disruption. For a freshman edge rusher with draftable traits, the potential to transfer to a system where he can turn it loose and earn immediate reps is tempting. As Penn State navigates new leadership and perhaps altered defensive concepts, Coleman might see this as the moment to strike while his market remains fresh. Other schools already seeking explosive pass rushers could view him as a high-upside pickup — and he may decide that waiting at Penn State doesn’t maximize his window.

3. Luke Reynolds, TE – Sophomore

The tight end room at Penn State has been a steady spot for under-the-radar production, and Reynolds has shown the promise: size (6’4”, 250 lbs), strong hands, and nearly 200 receiving yards this year. But the overarching concern now is fit. With the offensive scheme under scrutiny, a new staff may run tighter concepts, less reliance on multi-phase tight ends, or shift toward different position priorities. If Reynolds doesn’t fit the incoming system’s vision, schools already keyed into his skill-set — versatile in-line blocker, contested-catch athlete — could be ready to recruit. Losing him would hurt Penn State’s offense both in production and depth, but for Reynolds the portal might offer a role better aligned to his trajectory.

Looking Ahead

Penn State’s 2025 campaign entered the season with championship aspirations — but now carries the weight of a mid-season reset. The team sits 3-4 overall, 0-4 in Big Ten play, and was ranked in the Top 10 preseason before the slide.

With the team’s internal momentum disrupted, players with external value face a critical fork in the road.

For Rojas, Coleman, and Reynolds, scheme fit, role clarity, and opportunity for exposure may take precedence. A new leadership regime can bring a fresh change — or present misalignments. If any of these three players sense that their role or projection is compromised, the portal may become an opportunistic move.

In the weeks ahead, Penn State’s new staff must act swiftly to stabilize the roster, retain core contributors, and articulate their vision for each position group. The portal era means every change has ripple effects, and the Nittany Lions must address that head-on. For the players listed above, their next move will say as much about the program’s direction as about their own futures.

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