If history repeats itself, then Penn State won’t be that active in the transfer portal. [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] hasn’t used that newfound weapon as a way to build a roster, instead preferring the development option which has turned this program into a perennial Big Ten contender.
Things could be a bit different this time around, though.
There are clear needs the Nittany Lions will have to fill ahead of next season with the potential departures upcoming by way of graduation and the NFL draft. To remain in title contention, they’ll need to find some ready-made players who can come in and make an impact.
Franklin and [autotag]Deion Barnes[/autotag] believe they have identified one.
According to Sean Fitz of BlueWhiteIllustrated, Penn State has extended an offer to transfer defensive tackle [autotag]David Blay[/autotag], the first scholarship they have extended in the portal to date.
Interior defenders are huge for the success of teams around the country, and if the Nittany Lions are able to land Blay, that would be a huge win for them.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder was named First-Team All-Conference USA after compiling 46 total tackles, 10.5 of them for loss, while also wracking up 6.5 sacks.
Blay is a Pennsylvania native from Levittown, but as an unrated prospect in high school, he wasn’t on the radar of many teams and enrolled at Division II program West Chester University to start his collegiate career.
Now, he is one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal with 247Sports listing him as the 17th-best prospect available and No. 2 overall at his position.
Penn State will have a battle on their hands if they want to land him, so it’s a good sign the coaching staff is making him a priority early on.