Transfer portal tracker: The 2023 Penn State football players searching for new schools

College football rosters are now constantly in flux thanks to the addition of the free one-time transfer rule. The NCAA transfer portal has become the destination for coaches in need of a roster addition and the place to be for players in search of a new home.

Most programs are impacted by the portal every year and Penn State is no different. The Nittany Lions have multiple players who have left the program and are looking to transfer and will likely have more as the offseason progresses.

Below are the players from Penn State who have entered the portal since the end of the 2023 regular season. Check back as we continue to update this list.

QB Christian Veilleux

Signed: 2021 3-star (Ottawa, Ontario)

Status: Committed to Pittsburgh

Notes: Veilleux seemed like the heir apparent to Sean Clifford until Drew Allar came in as part of the 2022 class. Veilleux performed well against Rutgers last season, completing 15 of his 24 pass attempts for 235 yards and three touchdowns in the team’s 28-0 win. He fell to third on the depth chart behind Allar and Clifford this season, however, and only played when the Nittany Lions had big leads and Allar had sufficient reps.

DE Rodney McGraw

Signed: 2021 3-star (Elkhart, Ind.)

Status: Committed to Louisville

Notes: McGraw spent two seasons with the Nittany Lions but played in only three games in his time with the program. He joined as a three-star recruit and defensive end but has the size to potentially move to defensive tackle. McGraw will have three years of eligibility remaining at his next destination. He was not expected to factor into Penn State’s defensive line rotation next season.

OT Maleek McNeil

Signed: 2022 3-star (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.)

Status: In the transfer portal

Notes: McNeil was removed from the roster during the season and has since entered the transfer portal. He was signed as an offensive tackle who needed a few years to play, but has high upside. McNeil has since reshaped his body and now will look to find his next destination with a program where he can take the next step. He did not play for Penn State in his lone season with the program.

CB Jeffrey Davis Jr.

Signed: 2021 3-star (West Hartford, Conn.)

Status: Committed to Stony Brook

Notes: Davis is a good athlete who will need to add strength to take a step forward on the field. He’s only played in one game for Penn State which came this season after he redshirted and did not play during the 2021 season. His departure points to the Nittany Lions potentially needing to add more cornerback depth this coming season. Davis will have three years of eligibility remaining at this new program.

DT Fatorma Mulbah

Signed: 2020 3-star (Harrisburg, Pa.)

Status: Committed to West Virginia

Notes: Mulbah enters the portal after recording four career total tackles, all of which came late in games in 2021. He’s physically impressive at 6-foo3, 307 pounds, boasting plenty of strength to play on the interior of the defense. However, he was unable to crack the team’s defensive line rotation and make a major impact in his three seasons with the program. Mulbah redshirted and has three years of eligibility remaining.

DT Davon Townley

Signed: 2021 4-star (Minneapolis, Minn.)

Status: Returned to Penn State

Notes: Townley entered the transfer portal after the season but will now return as a defensive tackle rather than a defensive end.

CB Marquis Wilson

Signed: 2019 3-star (Windsor, Conn.)

Status: Committed to Purdue

Notes: Wilson enters the portal after contributing for key moments for Penn State since the 2019 season when he arrived. He forced three fumbles and hauled in two interceptions that year but has since struggled to find a consistent role on defense. He’s shuttled back and forth between both sides of the ball, with the program trying to take advantage of his excellent ball skills. Wilson has his redshirt available as he enters his final season of eligibility.

LB Jamari Buddin

Signed: 2021 4-star (Belleville, Mich.)

Status: Committed to New Mexico State

Notes: Buddin was an excellent athlete out of high school who was still learning to play the linebacker position in his short time at Penn State. He redshirted in the 2021 season, playing in four games, then played in nine games during the 2022 season. He recorded 12 total tackles in his two seasons with the program and added a fumble recovery this season in November against the Maryland Terrapins.

RB Keyvone Lee

Signed: 2020 4-star (Clearwater, Fla.)

Status: In the transfer portal

Notes: Lee is one of the most prominent Penn State players to enter the portal this cycle. He was once the team’s starting running back this season, but was quickly passed up by freshmen running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen as they became one of the best running back duos in the country. Lee was banged up during the season, and did not appear in Penn State’s Rose Bowl win over Utah. He finishes his career as a Nittany Lion with 1,062 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, along with the game-winning touchdown reception in this year’s season opener against Purdue.

WR Jaden Dottin

Signed: 2020 4-star (Suffield, Conn.)

Status: In the transfer portal

Notes: Dottin entered the transfer portal after three seasons at Penn State. He hauled in two catches for 14 yards in the 2022 season, but was largely unable to establish a firm role in the wide receiver rotation. His departure came on the same day the Nittany Lions added former Florida State wide receiver Malik McClain and a few days after Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas announced his commitment to Penn State. Dottin enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining.

OT Jimmy Christ

Signed: 2020 3-star (Sterling, Va.)

Status: Committed to Virginia

Notes: Christ entered the transfer portal shortly after the conclusion of spring ball. He was a reserve tackle during the 2022 season who also contributed on special teams for the Nittany Lions. Christ originally committed to Virginia out of high school but flipped his choice to Penn State before National Signing Day. Shortly after he entered the portal, Christ announced his commitment to Virginia, where his brother Tommy played.

CB Storm Duck

Signed: 2023 transfer portal (previously at North Carolina)

Status: Intends to enter the portal

Notes: Duck’s stint as a Nittany Lion was short-lived. The former North Carolina Tar Heel committed to Penn State in December and joined the program in January where he was lauded by teammates and coaches for his business-like approach. He was set to compete for a rotation spot with Kalen King and Johnny Dixon as the team’s likely starters at cornerback. Duck is a former second team All-ACC cornerback and looked to be a major contributor to the 2023 iteration of the Nittany Lions.