The Penn State Nittany Lions have lost a running back to the transfer portal.
The Penn State Nittany Lions definitely need to undergo some changes this offseason after a very disappointing 7-6 campaign in 2025, and one of their biggest areas of need will be their backfield.
Penn State is losing top running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen to the NFL Draft, and now, one of the school's depth pieces has revealed his departure.
Nittany Lions halfback Corey Smith has announced his decision to enter the transfer portal, via ESPN's Max Olson. Thus ends Smith's two-year stay at Happy Valley.
Smith did not receive a whole lot of playing time at Penn State.
The Milwaukee native carried the ball 22 times for 152 yards in 2024 and then redshirted. This year, he totaled just 30 yards on 14 attempts.
With Smith leaving, the Nittany Lions are now barren at the running back position. Right now, Quinton Martin stands to be the top option for Penn State, and he wasn't used all season before toting the rock 20 times for 103 yards in his team's Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson.
The Nittany Lions could always land a halfback of their own in the transfer portal, but they will also need to hit the recruiting trail to find answers, as well.
Corey Smith. Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images.Penn State currently does not have a single running back in its 2026 recruiting class, so new head coach Matt Campbell needs to hit the ground running there.
The Nittany Lions entered 2025 with national championship aspirations and got off to a 3-0 start, but then lost six games in a row. James Franklin was fired as head coach after the third straight loss, ending his 12-plus year run with the program.
While Penn State is one of the most prestigious college football schools in the country, it has not won a national championship since 1987.
Campbell is hoping to change that, but in order to get the Nittany Lions back on track for 2026, he will certainly have to find some weapons.
Penn State also needs to get its quarterback situation in order. While Ethan Grunkemeyer is currently in line to start next season, Campbell is attempting to bring in Rocco Becht — whom Campbell coached at Iowa State — via the portal.
We'll see if the Nittany Lions can make any splashes this offseason.