Several college football programs saw major player departures after the 2026 transfer portal closed. Key reasons for this included coaching changes, roster management issues, NIL opportunities and performance-based cuts due to new scholarship limits.
Penn State has experienced one of the largest roster shake-ups in recent college football history. The Nittany Lions lost 46 players to the transfer portal. That’s third in FBS this offseason, according to On3, behind Oklahoma State (64) and Iowa State (54).
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A major coaching change caused many players to leave the program. Head coach James Franklin was dismissed on Oct. 12 after a three-game losing streak derailed a season with high expectations.
The 53-year-old was head coach at Penn State for 12 years before his dismissal. Franklin was appointed head coach of the Hokies about five weeks later, replacing Brent Pry, who was let go after a 0-3 start in September.
Following a 57-day coaching search, the Nittany Lions officially named Matt Campbell as the program’s 17th head coach. He signed an eight-year contract running through 2033 with a total of $70.5 million in guaranteed compensation.
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The transfer portal opened on Jan. 2 and closed on Jan. 16, during which a total of 46 players left the program.
Among the departures, 12 players followed Franklin to Virginia Tech. This includes quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who started seven games in 2025. He completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 1,339 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
Campbell has stabilized the roster despite key losses, retaining key players such as linebacker Tony Rojas and cornerback Daryus Dixson.
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Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell.Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)
Moreover, the program announced a major roster overhaul, adding 39 transfers. The university allocated $30 million in NIL funds to support this rebuilding effort.
Campbell is tasked with rebuilding the team, but the addition of new talent could enhance its competitiveness in the Big Ten this fall.
Related: Big 12 Program Loses 64 Players to College Football Transfer Portal After Coach’s Firing
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.