Which players are leaving and returning for the Nittany Lions

Now that Penn States' 2024-25 season is officially over Orange Bowl loss to Notre Damethe Nittany Lions have already started the offseason. It will be hectic, with key decisions for draft-eligible players, especially running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. There's also the NCAA Transfer Portal, which reopened for Penn State players after the Orange Bowl.

Those planning to transfer have five days to submit their names to Penn States' compliance department. Those planning to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft must do so by January 16. Here's what we know so far about the Penn States 2025 schedule changes, which will be a quick process.

Nittany Lions who have declared for the NFL Draft

Two Nittany Lions declared for the NFL Draft as of Friday in defensive end Abdul Carter and safety Kevin Winston Jr. Carter's decision felt like a no-brainer because the junior defensive end is viewed by draft experts as a consensus first-round talent and a potential top-10 overall pick. The linebacker switched to defensive end this season and posted career highs with 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss, earning comparisons to Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons. Carter will finish his career with the sixth-most sacks in program history.

Winston's case is more interesting, as the safety missed almost the entire season after suffering a partially torn ACL in Week 2 against Bowling Green. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Winston has undergone surgery on his knee and is expected to participate in on-field drills in March. He is ranked as the No. 4 safety in class by ESPN and No. 3 safety from CBS Sportswhich earned him a second to third round finish.

Penn State players are no longer eligible

Although these players have not formally declared for the NFL Draft, they are no longer eligible for college and will not return next season. Notable players include Tyler Warren, who finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting, wide receiver Julian Fleming, offensive guard Sal Wormley, defensive linemen Dvon J-Thomas and Smith Vilbert, cornerback Jalen Kimber and safety Jaylen Reed.

Warren certainly benefited from his time at Penn State during his senior season. He emerged as one of the most versatile players in the country and elevated his status to a potential first-round pick. He was Penn States' leading receiver and also one of the best run blockers. Young players like true freshman Luke Reynolds and freshmen Andrew Rappleyea and Joey Schlaffer appear well-positioned to take over at that position, although it will be difficult to truly replicate Warren's production.

Wormley, J-Thomas and Vilbert are the last remaining Nittany Lions of the Recruitment course 2019. Wormley has been a starter at guard the past three seasons, while J-Thomas has been a starter at defensive tackle the past two seasons. Vilbert has struggled with injuries the past two years but played every game this season as a rotating defensive lineman.

Fleming was thought to be a potential savior for Penn States' wide receiver room when he transferred from Ohio State last spring. He wasn't quite that, making just 14 catches this season and none in the postseason. But he was valuable as a downfield blocker and veteran presence in the receivers room. Another transfer, Jalen Kimber, was a quality starter at corner after transferring from Florida.

Reed was Penn States' leading tackler this season and tied for the team lead with three interceptions. He is ranked as the No. 7 safety in the draft by ESPN and No. 8 by CBS Sports, giving him a third-to-fourth round grade.

When asked what he will take away from the season, Reed said, “I can't really answer that right now. I'm working on a lot of things right now. One thing I'll take away from this is just the brotherhood that we have here. I never take it for granted. When it is your last football game in a team, it will be different.”

Key Nittany Lions returning

Three Penn State players have announced their plans to return, including one just after the Orange Bowl. All-Big Ten defensive tackle Zane Durant will play a fourth season for the Nittany Lions, a huge decision for the health of Penn State's defense in 2025.

Quarterback Drew Allar and safety Zakee Wheatley preceded Durant in deciding to return. Allar is likely entering his third season as the team's starting quarterback after throwing for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 66.5 percent completion percentage. Allar has excelled at protecting the football and as a game manager, but the passing game has not been dynamic in his career. It's not all on Allar, but poor performances from his receivers against top teams like Ohio State and Notre Dame have defined Allar's run as the team's starter.

We didn't win the game, so it wasn't good enough, Allar said after the Orange Bowl loss. It's clear and simple. I will learn from it. I will do everything I can to get better and just grow from it.

Wheatley started all 16 games this season and had his best performances in the playoffs. Against Notre Dame, Wheatley had a career-high 16 tackles and an interception. A week earlier against Boise State, he had an interception and a fumble recovery. With Reed and Winston heading to the pros, Wheatley will be one of the team's most important defensive players in 2025.

Nittany Lions eligible to return, but undecided

Penn State has a number of notable players who will announce their decisions in the coming days. They include running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, wide receiver Harrison Wallace III, offensive linemen Nick Dawkins and Drew Shelton, defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant and Amin Vanover and linebacker Kobe King.

Singleton and Allen were both 1,000 yard rushers for Penn State and had great postseasons. In each of four games, Singleton posted 366 yards rushing and five touchdowns, while Allen had 410 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The duo has been the driving force behind the Nittany Lion offense, and getting both back for the 2025 season would be a huge boost. Singleton said he was undecided when asked about the Orange Bowl.

Actually, I don't even know what I'm going to do next year, but I'm worried about being with Drew [Allar]Coach [James] Franklin, all my teammates right now, just spend time because again, it's not going to be the same team as last year, Singleton said.

A big part of the running backs' success has been the offensive line, and two starters will have decisions to make. Dawkins was a team captain who started all 16 games at center. Shelton was Penn States starting left tackle this season and helped keep Allar well protected. The Nittany Lions have highly touted recruits who can take over at those spots if needed, such as true freshman Cooper Cousins ​​and redshirt freshman Jven Williams.

Moving to defense, several disruptive defensive linemen could return. Dennis-Sutton was a star with two sacks and an interception against Notre Dame. He is ranked as one top-50 prospect by ESPN and projects as second choice. Durant didn't have the flashy stats at defensive tackle, but he was a strong contributor on both defense and against the pass. Vanover was a rotation player who played well when he came on the field with 3.5 sacks. With Carter gone and Dennis-Sutton potentially leaving as well, Vanover could get a chance to start if he stays.

Finally, team captain and middle linebacker Kobe King could declare for the NFL Draft after developing into a three-down linebacker. He posted 97 total tackles and three sacks this season. Dominic DeLuca, starting linebacker and special teams, is also eligible for the draft. If DeLuca and King leave, Tony Rojas believes he will remain one of the starting linebackers, while the other starting spots will be a position battle between young players.

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Sam Woloson has covered Penn State athletics for the past three years and is currently editor-in-chief of The Daily Collegian. His work has also appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Huntingdon Daily News and Rivals. Follow him on X @sam_woloson