Penn State transfer portal updates: Exits, potential losses, and what it means for Matt Campbell’s rebuild

Penn State’s transfer portal exodus is underway as Matt Campbell begins reshaping the roster, with key departures, a vacant quarterback room, and major decisions looming for 2026.

Nick Wright — College Football Writer
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Dec 8, 2025; University Park, PA, USA; Matt Campbell answers questions from the media after being announced as the Penn State Nittany Lions new head coach during a press conference at the Beaver Stadium Press Room. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
© Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

The NCAA transfer portal opened on Jan. 2, and for the Penn State Nittany Lions, the roster churn has already begun.

A season that ended with a gritty Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson — and a coaching change that ushered in Matt Campbell — has led to heavy turnover, with players both departing and staying poised for evaluation as the Jan. 16 portal deadline looms.

After stepping in for an injured Drew Allar and guiding Penn State to four straight wins and a bowl victory, Grunkemeyer’s decision to transfer is seismic. He finished 2025 with 1,339 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions — and now departs with eligibility remaining.

Penn State now faces a vacant QB room with no scholarship quarterbacks currently on the roster, a hole made even more glaring by Jaxon Smolik’s earlier portal entry.

Grunkemeyer’s decision signals one of two realities: either he doesn’t see Matt Campbell’s future vision at quarterback, or he’s betting on finding a situation elsewhere that offers a clearer path to sustained starting reps. Either way, it underscores that Campbell’s 2026 plan likely includes an outside addition or a top recruit at QB, not simply internal continuity.

The mass exodus: Who’s leaving Penn State?

Penn State’s portal departures are not limited to one or two names — they’re extensive. Early reports indicate that nearly 30 players are entering or expected to enter the portal, covering every position group.

Key early or reported departures include:

  • Ethan Grunkemeyer, QB – starter and portal headline.
  • King Mack, S – a starter with 58 tackles in 2025, now entering the portal.
  • Xavier Gilliam, DT – starter in the defensive front rotation.
  • Zuriah Fisher, DE – veteran defensive end with a long PSU history.
  • Lamont Payne Jr., S – safety with rotational experience.
  • Corey Smith & Cam Wallace, RBs – backfield depth now moving on.
  • Jeff Exinor Jr., WR – receiver with size and experience.
  • TJ Shanahan Jr., IOL – interior offensive line depth.
  • Jaylen Harvey, Edge – rotational edge rusher.
  • Anthony Ivey, WR – wideout, adding to the receiving departures.
  • A.J. Harris & Elliot Washington II, CBs – secondary contributors moving on.

And that’s just a portion of the list — nearly every position on the roster has seen movement.

This is more than standard turnover after a bowl season. It’s a foundational reset following the departure of coach James Franklin and Penn State’s shift into the Matt Campbell era.

Why these roster changes matter

When a team loses more than 30 seniors — including draft entrants and portal departures — its roster faces a complete identity shift. Now, Campbell is tasked with a monumental rebuild.

Penn State now must:

  • Replace a starting quarterback.
  • Reload the defensive front after Fisher and Gilliam leave.
  • Rebuild secondary depth with multiple DB transfers.
  • Evaluate offensive line continuity amid multiple interior linemen entering the portal.
  • Redefine the role of running backs as established contributors move on.

The sheer volume of departures means Campbell must be aggressive in the portal — not just reactively filling holes, but reshaping the roster according to his vision.

What Penn State can hold onto

Fortunately, not every Lion is leaving. Several contributors and rotational players have yet to announce portal decisions, and a handful of starters from the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl and regular season appear likely to stay, at least for now.

Maintaining players who understand the culture transition — especially under a new coaching staff — can provide stability. Even if some of these players ultimately transfer later in the window, holding onto a core group matters more now than ever.

Campbell’s Portal strategy moving forward

Several sources tracking PSU’s portal activity indicate that the Lions aren’t just losing players — they’re also targeting upgrades. Early reports suggest Penn State will pursue external options to augment key positions, particularly at quarterback, offensive line, and defensive playmaking spots.

One name floated as a potential fit — not exclusively to Penn State but in the same transfer landscape — is Rocco Becht, a veteran signal-caller with over 9,000 collegiate passing yards who has connections to coach Matt Campbell at Iowa.

Whether such targets materialize into commitments remains to be seen, but Campbell’s portal strategy must blend experience with youth if Penn State plans to compete in the Big Ten right away rather than three years down the line.

Campbell arrived with expectations. Now, he’s being tested — not by opponents on Saturdays, but by realignment of personnel on a historic scale.

The portal isn’t just a roster tool anymore — it’s the first act of a rebuild, and Penn State’s early portal days suggest that how well Campbell and his staff navigate these two weeks will dictate the trajectory of the program for years to come.

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