Expectations are high for Penn State going into spring practice for the 2023 college football season. Coach James Franklin's team returns 14 starters and features a handful of rising stars, including quarterback Drew Allar, running back Nick Singleton and linebacker Abdul Carter. The Nittany Lions don't have a ton of glaring holes, but Franklin looked for help in the transfer portal at a couple of spots. Receiver was an area of focus with two key players leaving, and special teams received needed attention with a kicker and punter hitting campus this offseason.
Which players are the biggest and most important additions for Penn State through the transfer portal? Athlon Sports breaks down the transfers for the Nittany Lions' offense and defense in 2023:
Penn State Football: The Nittany Lions' Most Important Transfer Portal Additions on Offense and Defense for 2023
Offense
Best Offensive Addition:WR Dante Cephas (from Kent State)
Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley accounted for 97 catches, 1,188 yards and seven scores and both are off to the NFL. KeAndre Lambert-Smith is a good place to start the rebuilding effort for new quarterback Drew Allar's weapons, but Franklin and coordinator Mike Yurcich dipped into the portal for help. Cephas should be an impact performer for the Nittany Lions, as he was considered one of the top receivers at the Group of 5 level going into '22. The Pittsburgh native grabbed 82 receptions for 1,240 yards and nine scores in '21 and was on pace for another standout year (48 catches for 744 yards and three touchdowns) before injuries limited him in November.
McClain has intriguing size (6-4) and talent (four-star prospect coming out of high school. Although he caught only 33 passes for 396 yards and five touchdowns at Florida State, McClain's upside and potential make him a worthy addition out of the portal.Â
Best Defensive Addition: CB Storm Duck (from North Carolina)
Kalen King is locked in as one of the top returning cornerbacks in the Big Ten for '23. But who emerges at the other spot will be a focal point for coordinator Manny Diaz this spring. Johnny Dixon's experience should allow him to have an edge in the competition, but Duck's progression is worth monitoring. The South Carolina native was up and down at times in coverage with the Tar Heels but picked off three passes and broke up nine more in '22.
With Jake Pinegar departing after connecting on 12 of 16 field goals last year, the starting kicker job is up for grabs this spring. Felkins nailed 11 of 16 attempts at Columbia last year and was brought in to compete with Sander Sahaydak.Â
P Riley Thompson (from Florida Atlantic)
Thompson boomed 59 punts for an average of 45.8 yards per kick at FAU in '22. He will push Alex Bacchetta (four punts at Penn State last year) and Gabriel Nwosu (two) this spring for the punting job.
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