The NFL Draft is less than a week away, but the transfer portal is still as active as ever in college football. On Apr. 18th, former Syracuse wide receiver Trebor Pena visited Penn State as part of his transfer portal rounds, but some reporters feel that Pena’s NIL contract request is a bit far-fetched.
Former ‘Cuse Receiver Visits State College First
Pena, a redshirt junior, announced last Tuesday that he will enter the transfer portal. The Ocean Township, NJ native is coming off an impressive season where his Syracuse Orange finished 10-3, capped off with a victory in the Holiday Bowl against Washington State. Pena ended the year with 84 receptions for 941 yards and 9 touchdowns, including a 128-yard outburst against Miami in the regular season finale.
Trebor Pena, the All-ACC wide receiver from Syracuse, is currently visiting Penn State. With an impressive record of 84 receptions, 941 yards, and 9 touchdowns last season. probably misses playing with kyle mc cord..
— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) April 18, 2025
Pena’s stats last season were enough to net him an All-ACC second team selection, along with his teammates, senior quarterback Kyle McCord, and senior wide receiver Jackson Meeks.
Penn State, who were eliminated from the College Football Playoff in the Orange Bowl last season, looks to beef up its receiving core after losing graduate transfer Harrison Wallace III to Ole Miss. Wallace led Nittany Lion receivers with 46 receptions and 720 yards, but he only found the end zone four times, as more than half of PSU’s touchdowns came on the ground.
“Pena State” Could Happen for a Hefty Price
Pena looks to fill the hole that Wallace left, but to do that, PSU will have to fill Pena’s wallet with $2 million. And according to the “Portal Overlord” Brian Smith, that’s just not happening.
“No one’s paying a slot receiver $2 million, there is no frickin’ way,” said Smith on the Locked on Canes podcast. “Everybody starts at a price, and then they have to negotiate. Penn State is not generally aggressive with NIL, [so I] highly doubt that’s where he’ll end up.”
Smith went on to debate whether a slot receiver is worth half of Pena’s asking price. He name-dropped receivers like Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith as players who are deserving of that price tag. But despite the slim chance Smith gave Penn State to land Pena, he did mention what PSU’s main argument would be in a recruiting pitch.
“Now, he could be the final piece to Penn State winning the national title next year though,” he stated. “They might be preseason number 1, they’re gonna be really good.”
KEEP READING: Trebor Pena NIL Deal Under the Microscope
As the transfer recruiting cycle heats up in the months leading up to August, Smith questioned where Pena’s head is, and that coaches like Penn State’s James Franklin should keep in mind.
“Does he want [to win], or is it just about money?”
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