The transfer portal received a late entry on Wednesday from a veteran PSU defensive player.
According to Pete Nakos of On3, Penn State defensive end Smith Vilbert is entering the transfer portal.
Penn State EDGE Smith Vilbert has entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer, @On3sports has learned.
The class of 2019 recruit has 20 career tackles, two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks.https://t.co/VxSGJETKD9 pic.twitter.com/HIZT7lKgg3
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) February 25, 2025
The portal closed on Dec. 28, 2024, but remained open for Penn State players until mid-January by advancing to the Orange Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Notre Dame.
Vilbert was still eligible to put his name in the portal due to being a grad transfer. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
The news comes as a surprise after Vilbert posted a highlight of himself during the Notre Dame game on Jan. 14 with the caption, “One more Ride!!”
Vilbert also retweeted a post hyping up redshirt freshman Max Grandville for an exciting year two at Penn State hours after the transfer news was reported.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.One more Ride!!#haitansensation. pic.twitter.com/srctgBpoHT
— Smithvilbert (@Smithvilbert2) January 14, 2025
Vilbert joined quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, center Nick Dawkins, edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton, safety Zakee Wheatley, and others in returning to Penn State for the 2025 campaign.
A Class of 2019 recruit who completed his fifth and most productive year at Penn State, Vilbert recorded 12 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks in 2024. He recorded four TFLs and three sacks during the 2021 campaign and played in 35 games as a member of the Nittany Lions.
Vilbert made his presence known in the postseason with a sack and TFL against Oregon during the Big Ten Championship. The 6-foot-6 rusher played significant rotational snaps at edge rusher in the playoffs.
A dependable depth piece for a program losing potential top-five pick Abdul Carter and veteran edge Amin Vanover, Vilbert’s absence leads another defensive line position up from grabs.
Max Grandville, Zuriah Fisher, Texas A&M transfer Enai White, Michigan transfer Owen Wafle, and others will be depended on for new DC Jim Knowles’ defense during the 2025 season.
