What role will each 2024 Penn State transfer have at a new school in 2025? Here’s what we know

Penn State, like many top college football programs, lost a number of players to the transfer portal at the end of the 2024 season. Some were frequent contributors, others key backups, and another group didn’t play much last year or at any other point during their time in blue and white. However, no matter what group a player falls into, there is no question that he left in search of a better opportunity elsewhere for the 2025 season. The question we pose today is, how did that work out for each outgoing Nittany Lion? A full breakdown is below.

The 2025 outlook for the outgoing ’24 Penn State transfers on offense

Jerry Cross, TE, Memphis: A recent depth chart update from BWI sister site Tiger Sports Report did not cover the tight end position. Cross joined the Tigers for spring ball, which couldn’t have hurt his case to earn more playing time than he did at Penn State. He projects to share time with JUCO addition Bryan Anderson, per Phil Steele’s projected depth chart.

Omari Evans, WR,Washington: Evans missed time during spring ball due to a lower-body injury. Speaking with reporters at Big Ten Media Days, Huskies coach Jedd Fischsaid the former Nittany Lion intrigued them in the portal because of the speed he could inject into the offense. Earlier this week, On Montlake with Christian Caple put Evans in a rotational role to start.

Tyler Johnson, WR,East Carolina: Johnson is not mentioned in any of the school website’s three preseason camp updates. But, he was on campus for spring ball and is in a room that’s strong at the top but has tons of opportunity from there based on returning production. The trail of info is pretty cold at that point though, otherwise.

Chase Meyer, K, Cal: According to California Golden Bears on SI reporter Jeff Faraudo, Meyer will handle short field goals and extra points while a different kicker will handle kickoffs and long field goals. Meyer was 17 of 20 on field goals two years ago at Tulsa but never attempted a kick during his one season in State College.

More: 7 from Penn State make ESPN’s list of college football’s top 100 players

JB Nelson, OL, Kansas State: The Wildcats have a Week 0 date with Iowa State on Saturday, which means the team has released a depth chart. Nelson is listed as the first-team right guard but in an OR situation with fellow blocker Andrew Leingang. With that said, the reporters over at BWI sister site K-State Online are expecting the former Penn State utility man to start for KSU at right guard while Leingang serves in something of a super-utility role not unlike the one Nelson had in State College.

Beau Pribula, QB,Missouri: The former Penn State passer could not win the Tigers’ starting job outright during preseason camp. He and Sam Horn, a returner who missed all of the 2024 season due to injury, will both play in the team’s opener with Central Arkansas as the competition between them rages into the regular season.

“I informed the team this afternoon that both quarterbacks will play in the first game,” Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz said in a team statement. “I want to see them in a game-day situation to make a final determination.”

Harrison Wallace III, WR,Ole Miss: Per Billy Embody at BWI sister site Rebel Grove, the SEC team feels good about Wallace III making an early impact this fall. The buzz around the former Nittany Lion has been strong this spring — from the Rebel Grove guys and others in the media space down there — to make one thing that the former four-star recruit will likely earn a starting role to start the year.

The 2025 outlook for the outgoing ’24 Nittany Lion transfers on defense

Mehki Flowers, S,Akron: Flowers is actually listed as a defensive back on the Zips’ roster, which makes one wonder if he isn’t getting reps at both corner and safety this summer. He projects to start the year in the backup role, though it would be silly not to note how scarce the info is right now on Joe Moorhead’s team.

Cam Miller, CB,Rutgers: Miller had some productive moments for the Lions before electing to leave the team’s loaded cornerbacks room for Piscataway. Two former Penn State analysts, Robb Smith and Vic Hall, are now on the Scarlet Knights’ staff as the co-DC and safeties coach, respectively. They know Miller’s game. A pre-camp projected depth chart from On3 sister The Knight Report put Miller in a starting role. We have no reason to think he’s lost it during camp.

Tyrece Mills, S,UCONN: Phil Steele’s preseason depth chart for the Huskies projects Mills to start at one safety spot. Considering his past college experience, it’s a fair assumption to make. But, there’s little out there confirming it before kickoff.

Jon Mitchell, CB,Georgia Tech: BWI sister site Jackets Online reports that Mitchell has flashed some during his first camp with the Yellow Jackets. But, he still projects to open the year in a backup role at his new school a week or so before the opening.

Joseph Mupoyi, DL,North Carolina: A player with a ton of potential and strong traits who always had to refine the football side of things, Mupoyi left after spring ball to become a Tar Heel. Work remains to round out his game, and so there’s no indication at the moment that he’ll contribute in Chapel Hill this year.

More: New Beaver Stadium photos show latest look at temporary seating, construction footprint 10 days before Nevada

Ta’Mere Robinson, LB,USC: Robinson has reportedly flashed some in camp but continues to be in a scrap for playing time. USC coach Lincoln Riley told reporters that two Trojans have separated themselves at linebacker — neither of which was the former Penn State defender — putting Robinson in the next tier of playing, trying to climb the depth chart.

Smith Vilbert, DE, North Carolina: Vilbert was originally returning to Penn State for a seventh season. Then, he switched gears and left for Chapel Hill. He’s one of many new faces in a defensive line room that is still establishing a pecking order. That makes what his role will be for the opener unclear at this point in time.