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Three More Penn State Football Players Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Update January 17, 1 p.m.: Brandon Polk officially announced his intention to leave Penn State on Twitter.

“After discussing this decision with my family and others close to me, and sending up many prayers seeking guidance from God, I have decided to leave Penn State after I graduate this Spring, and play my last year of college football elsewhere,” Polk said.

Update January 14, 4:23 p.m.: Lamont Wade posted a picture of an empty locker on his Instagram story Monday afternoon. The post read “This wasn’t my decision, but hey.” Penn State has not announced anything regarding his status.

Wade, along with the other three players to enter the transfer portal, is still listed on the team’s roster.

Update January 13, 4:20 p.m.: Zech McPhearson officially announced his intention to transfer for the rest of his college football career. McPhearson thanked Penn State head coach James Franklin and the rest of his coaching staff for “taking me in and helping me develop” over the past three years.

Original Story: Penn State football’s Brandon Polk, Zech McPhearson, and Lamont Wade have all entered their names into the NCAA’s new transfer portal, according to SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic.

Polk started seven games for the Nittany Lions in 2018, but he lost his place in the wide receiver rotation due to poor performances as the season progressed. He finished the season with just nine receptions, 162 yards, and two touchdowns.

Wade and McPhearson didn’t make any starts for the Nittany Lions this season, but both featured in a reserve role on defense. McPhearson made 16 tackles in 13 appearances at cornerback, while Wade totaled 18 stops in his first season at safety after joining the team as a cornerback.

The three players’ entry into the transfer portal doesn’t necessarily mean their Penn State careers are over yet. Student-athletes who enter the portal aren’t forced to leave their team; entering the portal is simply a first step taken towards transferring. The NCAA opened the portal in October 2018, and it allows student-athletes to explore their options without asking their current team for permission to transfer.

McPhearson, Wade, and Polk all join wide receiver Juwan Johnson, who submitted his name and then announced his intention to leave Happy Valley on Friday, in the transfer portal.

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About the Author

Mikey Mandarino

In the most upsetting turn of events, Mikey graduated from Penn State with a digital & print journalism degree in the spring of 2020. He covered Penn State football and served as an editor for Onward State from 2018 until his graduation. Mikey is from Bedminster, New Jersey, so naturally, he spends lots of time yelling about all the best things his home state has to offer. Mikey also loves to play golf, but he sucks at it because golf is really hard. If you, for some reason, feel compelled to see what Mikey has to say on the internet, follow him on Twitter @Mikey_Mandarino. You can also get in touch with Mikey via his big-boy email address: [email protected]

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