The Penn State football roster is undergoing significant change with Pinstripe Bowl opt-outs, 2026 NFL Draft declarations, NCAA Transfer Portal decisions and much more.
NFL DECLARATIONS
The following players have declared for the 2026 NFL Draft while having remaining eligibility at Penn State:
- OL Vega Ioane (12/12)PINSTRIPE BOWL OPT-OUTS
The following players have announced they will not play in the Pinstripe Bowl:
- DT Zane Durant (12/8)
- S Zakee Wheatley (12/10)
- RB Nick Singleton (12/11)
- OL Vega Ioane (12/12)
- OL Drew Shelton (12/26)
- OL Nick Dawkins (12/26)
- OL Nolan Rucci (12/26)
- TE Khalil Dinkins (12/26)
Defensive end Zuriah Fisher isn't with Penn State as the team prepares for the Pinstripe Bowl. Fisher wrapped his sixth year with the Nittany Lions and could pursue a seventh year of eligibility because of medical hardship. He told Lions247 in November that he planned to play in a bowl game.
EXPIRING ELIGIBILITY
The following players have expiring eligibility at Penn State:
- Quarterback: Drew Allar
- Running back: Kaytron Allen, Amiel Davis, Tyler Holzworth, Nick Singleton
- Wide receiver: Liam Clifford, Kyron Hudson, Trebor Peña, Devonte Ross
- Tight end: Khalil Dinkins
- Offensive line: Mason Carlan, Nick Dawkins, Nolan Rucci, Drew Shelton
- Defensive line: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, Alonzo Ford
- Linebacker: Dominic DeLuca
- Cornerback: n/a
- Safety: Zakee Wheatley
- Specialists: Tyler Duzansky, Gabe Nwosu, Riley Thompson
Defensive end Zuriah Fisher, who recently completed his sixth season of college football, told Lions247 last month that he has a seventh year of eligibility available to him.
OUTGOING TRANSFERS
The following players who are departing Penn State via the NCAA Transfer Portal will be listed below:
- TE Joey Schlaffer (11/5)
- CB Elliot Washington II (12/11)
- DE Chaz Coleman (12/18)
- OL Alex Birchmeier (12/19)
- LB Kari Jackson (12/23)
- WR Aaron Enterline (12/23)
Defensive end Daniel Jennings is no longer with the Nittany Lions, but he has not officially announced his future plans. He redshirted as a true freshman this season.
Cornerback A.J. Harris is no longer with the team, but he has not officially announced his future plans. He has one season of eligibility remaining and is also a draftable NFL prospect.
Also see:
Just sayin': So far Penn State only has 2 players in their 2026 recruiting class and with all those players out of eligibility, declaring for the NFL draft, and/or transferring; you really have to wonder how competitive that they will be in 2026.
