The transfer portal has already gifted Penn State former five-star wide receiver and Southern Columbia grad Julian Fleming.
One of the most critical positions of need following the 2023 season, Penn State has made one of what could be a few moves at receiver.
Could the same happen on the offensive line?
Penn State’s losing All-American left tackle Olu Fashanu and right tackle Caedan Wallace to the NFL Draft. Addressing the line could be next. North Carolina left tackle Diego Pounds officially entered the transfer portal. Chris Hummer of 247Sports reported the news Thursday.
There was a time during his high school recruitment when many had Diego Pounds penciled in as an eventual member of Penn State's 2021 recruiting class. Didn't turn out that way.
The Nittany Lions don't have any remaining offensive linemen from 2021 recruiting class. https://t.co/qWzY71WYjh
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) January 4, 2024
A former three-star prospect from the North Carolina ranks in the class of 2021, Pounds committed to UNC after receiving multiple offers from Big Ten, ACC, and SEC schools. Penn State offered Pounds a scholarship on March 17, 2020. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound sophomore from Raleigh played 12 games with the Tar Heels, including the program’s loss to West Virginia in the 2023 Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Penn State is lacking experienced offensive linemen and has opportunities to offer potential transfer portal players like Pounds. The Nittany Lions finished the year 10-3 following a disappointing loss to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl that featured opt-outs and injuries in the final New Year’s Six before the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Another OL option is Nolan Rucci. Rucci was the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania from the Class of 2021 and had Penn State in his top two, but ended up choosing another Big Ten school in Wisconsin. After playing in just five games over three seasons, Rucci entered the transfer portal. If Rucci picks Penn State, the school will have the last five No. 1 players in PA on the roster coming into the 2024 season.
