Matt Campbell and Terry Smith are putting in the work.

Former Syracuse cornerback Ibn McDaniels is transferring to Penn State, he announced on X on Friday afternoon. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

McDaniels was a three-star recruit out of Elizabeth, NJ, in the Class of 2024, ranked as the No. 116 cornerback and No. 23 player from New Jersey, according to the 247Sports Composite. He was a two-way star in high school, notching three interceptions while also having 744 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a senior.

McDaniels maintained his redshirt in 2024, playing in four games. Despite playing in 11 games in 2025, he had a relatively small role, reduced to special teams while being deep in the depth chart. He had four tackles, one tackle for loss, and a pass defended in 15 career games.

The 6’3″, 205-pound cornerback is the 29th transfer to commit to Campbell at Penn State, but the first cornerback. With the departure of AJ Harris, Elliot Washington II, and Kenny Woseley Jr., McDaniels will have an opportunity to get snaps in a rebuilt room.