Penn State football freshman quarterback Bekkem Kritza plans to enter the transfer portal, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Kritza has four years of eligibility remaining.

Kritza joined the Nittany Lions in 2025, but didn’t make an appearance sitting behind Drew Allar, Ethan Grunkemeyer, and Jaxon Smolik. The Chandler, Arizona, native has also struggled with injuries this season.

The 6’5″, 199-pound signal caller was a three-star recruit in high school, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and listed as the No. 97 player in Florida, No. 51 quarterback, and No. 795 player nationally. He chose Penn State over Colorado, Kansas, and Miami.

He leaves a talented quarterback room with Grunkemeyer still looming on his own decision after a strong Pinstripe Bowl performance. The Nittany Lions, though, will likely try to add depth in the position during this transfer portal window. Penn State spent much of 2025 with wide receiver Liam Clifford as the emergency quarterback behind Grunkemeyer due to a slew of injuries.