The roller coaster ride of college football’s transfer portal season has hit Penn State hard on the defensive side of the ball. Just as the Nittany Lions are gearing up for another run at national contention, they’re facing some notable departures. But it’s not all bad news in Happy Valley, as the program recently landed a quarterback prospect who could be a game-changer down the road.
Despite Defensive Departures, Penn State Strikes Big With 6’5″ QB Recruit
Penn State fans are feeling the sting of seeing two promising young defenders enter the transfer portal. Linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson and cornerback Jon Mitchell – both former four-star recruits with plenty of potential – have decided to look for opportunities elsewhere.
Blessed to be staying home #Committed #WeAre@coachjfranklin @Kotelnicki @DannyOBrienQB @chrismahon_ @Coach_Elby @shadrich80 @BradMaendler @NazarethTD @NAHSBlueEagles pic.twitter.com/WlDtCLrHl8
— Peyton Falzone (@PeytonFalzone) April 12, 2025
Robinson’s situation is particularly disappointing. The 6-3, 231-pound Pittsburgh native was showing real progress after battling through injuries. He managed to appear in 14 games last season and rack up 11 tackles despite his limited action.
Before Robinson’s decision to transfer, coach James Franklin had actually praised his development: “He’s had some injuries that have been setbacks for him. So getting him back healthy and confident and playing fast, he’s really flashing. He’s trending in the direction that we had hoped when we recruited him.”
Meanwhile, Mitchell’s departure creates another hole to fill in the secondary. The 5-11 cornerback from Jacksonville played in six games as a freshman and tallied five tackles. With four full years of eligibility still on the table, his potential will now benefit another program.
Quarterback Future Brightens with Peyton Falzone Commitment
While the defensive transfers sting, Penn State fans have reason for excitement about the future under center. The Lions just landed Peyton Falzone, an impressive 6’5″, 200-pound quarterback from Nazareth High School for their 2026 class.
Falzone isn’t just tall – he’s the complete package. As a junior, he earned Pennsylvania Class 6A all-state honors after throwing for 2,135 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also showed off his dual-threat capabilities by rushing for 697 yards and scoring eight times on the ground.
His quarterback coach, Brad Maendler, who also works with current Penn State QBs Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer, didn’t hold back with his assessment: “He’s as physically talented as any QB I’ve ever had.”
What makes Falzone’s commitment even more impressive is that Penn State won a recruiting battle for his services. Initially committed to Virginia Tech, the talented signal-caller reopened his recruitment and ultimately chose the Nittany Lions despite interest from powerhouses like Ohio State, Iowa, and Utah.
KEEP READING: James Franklin Called Top 10 Coach by Josh Pate Amid Transfer Portal Outburst
Falzone now joins a loaded 2026 recruiting class that already features another four-star quarterback in California’s Troy Huhn. With seven four-star recruits already in the fold, Penn State’s 2026 class currently ranks eighth nationally, positioning the program for long-term success even as it navigates the immediate challenges of roster management.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
