Update, 9:53 a.m.: Bacchetta confirmed his entrance into the portal in a tweet.

I would like to thank Penn State and the entire staff for the past 2 years. I’m incredibly thankful for all the memories and experiences with my teammates over these two seasons. I wish Penn State the absolute best. I have entered the transfer portal with 3 years remaining. pic.twitter.com/WMfEOIWX1M

— Alex Bacchetta (@AlexBacchetta) December 4, 2023

And so it begins.

Penn State football punter Alex Bacchetta has entered the transfer portal, per Tyler Donohue of 247Sports. Bacchetta entered the portal on the first day it opened and is the first Nittany Lion rumored to leave the program.

Penn State redshirt freshman punter Alex Bacchetta has entered the Transfer Portal, per @247Sports source.

He redshirted last fall, was a backup this season. FAU transfer Riley Thompson started for Lions.

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) December 4, 2023

Bacchetta was Penn State’s second-string punter who sat behind Australian transfer Riley Thompson for the duration of the 2023 season. He didn’t punt once in 2023 but managed to get on the field four times as a true freshman in 2022 when he served as the backup to Barney Amor. He finished with four punts, three of which landed inside the 20-yard line, for a total of 160 yards.

Bacchetta’s transfer calls may show that Thompson will have enough NCAA eligibility to return to the Nittany Lions next year. Thompson’s path to Penn State started when he played Aussie Rules football before spending a year punting at FAU. Thompson’s eligibility for the Nittany Lions has been the subject of conversation for some time, and even Thompson didn’t seem interested in discussing his eligibility a few months ago.