Penn State football has added another massive defensive lineman from the transfer portal.
On Thursday afternoon, Pete Nakos of On3Sports reported that Dallas Vakalahi has signed with Penn State after two seasons at Utah.
Vakalahi is a 6-foot-2, 318-pounder who will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
A former three-star recruit from West Valley, Utah, Vakalahi started his college career in 2024. He had a promising true freshman season, making it to the Big 12’s All-Rookie team.
Injuries plagued Vakalahi in 2025, limiting him to nine games (bowl game included.) Vakalahi made two starts and played 220 snaps per Pro Football Focus, which was the third most among Utah’s defensive tackles.
Vakalahi impressed former Utah and now Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham with how he performed right away.
“I’m proud of Dallas Vakalahi,” Whittingham said in 2024. “He stepped in as a true freshman, just got finished with a church mission six months ago and here he is playing at a very high level in a power four conference. He got his first chance to play significant snaps and made the most of it.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Assuming Penn State and coach Matt Campbell went into the transfer portal window looking to get bigger on the DL, they have accomplished that.
Days before landing Vakalahi, Penn State added a pair of fellow Big 12 DL with former Colorado EDGE Alexander McPherson (6-foot-6, 250 pounds) and former Oklahoma State DT Armstrong Nnodim (6-foot-2, 290 pounds).
Penn State Adds Pair of Big Guys From Big 12 in Transfer Portal
Before that, Penn State landed former UCLA DL Keanu Williams (6-foot-5, 320 pounds).
For more on who Penn State has added in the transfer portal, click here.
