Penn State Bets on Long-Term Growth as Transfer Portal Exodus Sparks Debate
Penn State football is facing a pivotal moment. Amid mounting player departures and a sharp dip in NIL value, questions are swirling about whether head coach James Franklin is navigating the storm—or steering straight into it. But beneath the surface, a strategy is emerging, one that leans on development over quick fixes.
The losses are stacking up. Kicker Chase Meyer, defensive linemen Joseph Mupoyi and Smith Vilbert (both now with UNC), linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson, and cornerback Jon Mitchell are among the notable names exiting through the transfer portal. While this pattern of attrition isn’t unique to Penn State in the portal era, it still stings.
Yet, Penn State’s leadership seems unfazed. Andy Frank, the school’s General Manager of Personnel and Recruitment, laid it out during an appearance on Next Up with Adam Breneman. “We see ourselves as a developmental program,” he said, underscoring their core philosophy: build from the high school level and mold players over time. The team isn’t rushing to stock its roster with transfer portal pickups—it’s betting on its ability to develop talent the old-fashioned way.
Frank acknowledged the growing popularity of portal recruiting but cautioned against overreliance. “It’s very difficult to build a championship team if you’re slanted heavy heavy portal,” he explained. The blueprint for success, according to Penn State, lies in stability and relationships. “We’re a very relationship-based program,” Frank emphasized. That approach means valuing team chemistry and cultural fit over simply chasing the most hyped transfer.
And there’s another wrinkle: money. Penn State’s adjusted NIL value has dropped by $1.2 million, now sitting at $5 million. With 18 players transferring out and only eight incoming—none of them 5-star talents—the optics aren’t ideal. But Athletic Director Pat Kraft sees it differently. He wants to reframe NIL as marketing rather than donation-driven charity. “It’s marketing dollars,” he said, aiming to position Penn State’s players as long-term brand partners.
Despite the exodus, Penn State hasn’t been completely inactive. They added UNC linebacker Amare Campbell, ACC receiver Trebor Pena, and developmental defensive end Daniel Jennings via the portal. Meanwhile, their high school recruiting is holding strong, with a No. 13 national ranking for 2025 (28 commits) and No. 11 for 2026 (17 commits).
James Franklin’s message remains consistent: stick to the plan. Build internally. Develop patiently. And avoid destabilizing a culture that’s been years in the making. It’s a philosophy rooted in trust, not trend-chasing. Whether it pays off with wins—or rings—will take time to answer. But for now, the Nittany Lions are digging in and planting deep, lon
g-term roots.