Both former Penn State coach Brent Pry and Deshaun Foster were fired from their head coaching roles with Virginia Tech and UCLA on Sunday. Because of the timing, a 30-day transfer portal window opens for both teams.

While players can leave their schools and commit to other places, they are not able to play for those schools until next season. Yet, because neither team has played more than three games in 2025, players can apply for a redshirt, almost skipping the 2025 season. Another interesting wrinkle to this is that UCLA has not actually started classes yet due to its quarter system.

While it is important that James Franklin focus on the season ahead, especially Oregon, which comes to Happy Valley in under two weeks for the White Out game, it is never too early to start preparing for next year.

As the great Nick Saban put it, winning the National Championship puts you behind for the next season.

Now, Franklin is very intentional with his transfers, often going for players he recruited out of high school or who he knows will fit the culture. While personality background checks will happen, here are three of the most talented players on the UCLA and Virginia Tech rosters that Penn State could and should go after.

Kemari Copeland – Virginia Tech

Kemari Copeland is a talented defensive lineman for the Hokies who has started the season with 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, and half a sack. The Virginia Beach, Virginia, native has a history of transferring, starting his career at Army, then going to Iowa Western Community College before landing at Virginia Tech.

In 2024, Copeland only played in four games before suffering a season-ending injury, but he has shown promise this year. In fact, one of the only strong points of the Hokies’ season so far has been the defensive line, which kept them in the game against South Carolina.

With the loss of Zane Durant next season, Penn State will be in a tough spot on the defensive line, and any depth can’t hurt.

Ayden Greene – Virginia Tech

Another spot of emphasis this offseason for the Nittany Lions will be replenishing the wide receiver room. All three starters for Penn State are in their final year of eligibility, and Ayden Greene would have two years left if he redshirted this season.

The Knoxville, Tennessee, native has eight catches for 148 yards through the first three games of the 2025 season and has shown impressive catching ability. For some reason, the Hokies decided to throw him the ball less after he recorded 5 receptions in the season opener against the Gamecocks.

While the likes of Koby Howard and Tyseer Denmark will get their opportunities next year for Penn State, talent and depth never hurt.

Rodrick Pleasant – UCLA

Penn State’s defensive back room could be its best unit, outside of the running backs, and has a lot of young talent like Daryus Dixson and Jahmir Joseph. Rodrick Pleasant, though, is one of the quickest players in the country and could be a vital reserve player for the Nittany Lions in 2026.

The sophomore spent the start of his college football career with Oregon before transferring to UCLA for more playing time. He has started in all three games for the Bruins and has two solo tackles and one pass defended.

While in Eugene, though, Pleasant was a two-sport athlete, also competing in the 100-meter dash with a college PR of 10.16 seconds. For reference, Nyck Harbor, who is thought of as the fastest player in college football, ran a 10.11 for South Carolina.