Why Penn State Will Be Back in the 2026 College Football Playoffs
Penn State had a very successful season finishing 13-3 and making it to the College Football Semifinal. Penn State dominated SMU and Boise State in the first two rounds of the playoffs before losing a close game against Notre Dame in the Semifinal. Penn State has the pieces in place to not only make it back but could go all the way. While Penn State is losing some key players to the NFL draft or the transfer portal, many players have chosen to come back with their eyes set on winning a National Championship.
Tom Allen left Penn State this week and signed with Clemson for the same role as Defensive coordinator. Allen chose Clemson to be closer to his family. This is a huge hole that Penn State will need to fill with the right guy. Abdul Carter, the face of Penn State’s defense has declared for the NFL Draft and is expected to go early in the first round. Another huge piece that will be entering into the draft is star tight-end Tyler Warren. Both of these players were among the best in College football this season and will most likely be drafted in the first round. Omari Evans and Trey Wallace, two Nittany Lions receivers have entered the transfer portal. Backup quarterback Beau Pribelula had already transferred to Missouri prior to the playoffs.
Outside of that, Penn State will return several starters. Quarterback Drew Allar despite receiving a lot of attention from NFL scouts will return for his senior season. Both running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen announced they will be returning after each of them rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Replacing Warren is not easy however the Nittany Lions believe they have their guy in Freshmen Luke Reynolds. On the defensive end, Dominic Deluca and Dani Dennis Sutton announced they will also be returning along as two key players on Penn State’s defensive end last season. Among many other players choosing to return to Penn State, all of the Nittany Lions special teams players will also be returning.
Penn State has been attacking the transfer portal early, already picking up six players to add to an already talented roster. A huge issue with the Nittany Lions offense last season was the wide receivers, with two transferring out, two are transferring in. Kyron Hudson from USC and Devonte Ross from Temple will be joining the offense next season. King Mack who played one season at Penn State before transferring to Alabama is coming back to Penn State next season. With a new Defensive coordinator and continuing to be aggressive in the transfer portal, Penn State will be a top team next season with a real chance of winning a national championship.
