Penn State and Matt Campbell have landed one of Iowa State’s starting safeties out of the transfer portal.
On Sunday, sophomore Marcus Neal Jr. told Hayes Fawcett of On3 that he is committing to Penn State.
In 12 games during his first full year as a starter, Neal became a dependable force on the Cyclones defense.
A former four-star recruit, Neal registered 77 tackles, three passes defended, two interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Neal’s play in 2025 earned him third-team All-Big 12 and made him a top 10 safety available in the transfer portal by 247Sports.
Neal is the third Iowa State player to join Matt Campbell at Penn State, rejoining tight end Benjamin Brahmer and offensive tackle Will Tompkins.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Penn State has holes to fill in the secondary with Zakee Wheatley graduating plus King Mack and Antoine Belgrave-Shorter entering the transfer portal.
A 6-foot-1, 215-pound DB from Kansas City, Neal recorded five or more tackles in every game until the season finale against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Penn State has lost more than 30 players to the transfer portal. It’s likely that many more Iowa State players will join Brahmer, Tompkins, and Neal, including quarterback Rocco Becht.
The transfer portal opened on January 2 and remains open until January 16. It’s the only transfer portal window of the year, with no spring transfer window established by the NCAA this season.
Penn State finished the 2025 season 7-6 as interim head coach Terry Smith, who remains on staff, led the Nittany Lions to a 22-10 victory in the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
