Before Penn State ramps up its game week prep for SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the program was dealt a surprise with a transfer portal decision. A key piece of the Nittany Lions offense will enter the portal and will be the program’s most high profile entrant to date.
Penn State quarterback[autotag]Beau Pribula[/autotag] announced on social media that he will enter the transfer portal. Pribula is a redshirt sophomore who has two years of eligibility remaining and has added another dimension to the Penn State offense as Drew Allar’s backup.
Perhaps the biggest immediate concern surrounding Pribula’s departure is that he will be entering the portal immediately and won’t be with the team through the College Football Playoff beginning this weekend against SMU.
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The current college football landscape seemed to play a big role in Pribula’s decision. The transfer portal opened last week right as the College Football Playoff was set to begin, forcing players like Pribula into difficult decisions. Pribula likely envisions himself as a starting caliber quarterback meaning he needs to find a home as soon as possible to give himself the best chance to succeed.
It is a tough blow for Penn State who used Pribula quite a bit this season as a change-of-pace quarterback. Pribula completed 26 of 35 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. He also rushed 38 times for 242 yards and four touchdowns. The dual-threat quarterback should be a hot commodity for programs looking for a capable starting signal caller.
Penn State is now left with Allar, redshirt freshman[autotag]Jaxon Smolik[/autotag] and freshman[autotag]Ethan Grunkemeyer[/autotag]. Grunkemeyer drew rave reviews for his performances this spring and in practices. Whether Pribula’s transfer means that Allar is coming back for one more season or another transfer is coming in remains to be seen, but it without a doubt is still a surprise heading into Penn State biggest game of the year.
The Nittany Lions open the College Football Playoff against SMU at Beaver Stadium on Dec. 21 and will now be without Beau Pribula, a key contributor to their offense.