STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — On the eve of the official opening of the NCAA Transfer Portal, the picture for Penn State’s 2026 roster is becoming clearer.
In a significant boost for new head coach Matt Campbell, offensive linemen Cooper Cousins and Anthony Donkoh have announced they will return to Penn State for the 2026 season.
The Trenches Stay Strong
Retaining Cousins and Donkoh was priority number one for the new staff. Both were key contributors in 2025 and are viewed as future NFL talents. Their decision to stay, alongside tight end Andrew Rappleyea, signals buy-in to Campbell’s vision of a physical, line-of-scrimmage-dominated program.
Defensive Departures
While the offense retained its core, the defense is seeing some attrition. Verified reports indicate that defensive end Jaylen Harvey and linebacker Anthony Speca inform the staff of their intention to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2.
- Jaylen Harvey: The redshirt freshman showed flashes but saw his playing time fluctuate.
- Anthony Speca: A highly regarded linebacker recruit, Speca will seek a new home with three years of eligibility remaining.
- Xavier Gilliam (DT) and Braz Thomas (DB) are also expected to explore options.
With the portal window officially opening tomorrow, expect a flurry of activity as Campbell continues to reshape the roster.
Strategic Analysis: The Foundation
Retaining Cousins and Donkoh is arguably more valuable than any portal addition.
- The Anchor: Cooper Cousins, a 247Sports Preseason True Freshman All-American in 2024, played a career-high 78 snaps in the Pinstripe Bowl. His return solves the right guard question immediately.
- The Culture Match: Offensive Line Coach Phil Trautwein has compared Cousins’ “mauling style” to the Pouncey brothers. This fits perfectly with Matt Campbell’s identity—physical, run-first football that requires interior linemen to displace defenders, not just shield them.