A key member of Penn State’s 2025 safety group is returning to State College next season.
On Friday, defensive back Vaboue Toure announced that he is staying in Happy Valley and is another key retention for head coach Matt Campbell.
“No place I’d rather be 🦁, let’s do it 💯 #WeAre,” Toure posted on Twitter.
A 6-foot-1, 208-pound redshirt freshman from Pleasantville, New Jersey, Toure emerged in the Pinstripe Bowl victory as a building block for new defensive coordinator and Penn State alum D’Anton Lynn.
Toure made seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and recorded his first-career sack against Clemson in a 22-10 victory on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
In 11 games this season, Toure made 13 tackles. He redshirted and played in five games as a true freshman in 2024, earning a spot on the field in the College Football Playoff first round win over SMU.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Bowl games and playoff appearances don’t count towards burning a player’s athletic redshirt for the year.
With King Mack once again entering the transfer portal and Zakee Wheatley graduating, Penn State has available playing time for Toure to earn a starting job. He made a great first impression and could become a focal point with Dejuan Lane also returning.
Lynn joins Penn State after serving as defensive coordinator at USC. He played cornerback at Penn State from 2008-2011 and was a three-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Penn State has retained notable starters including linebacker Tony Rojas, interior lineman Cooper Cousins, right tackle Anthony Donkoh, cornerbacks Daryus Dixon and cornerback Audavion Collins, tight end Andrew Rappleyea, kicker Ryan Barker, and wide receiver Koby Howard.
The transfer portal opened on Friday and remains open in a single 15-day window through January 16.
