Penn State is using the transfer portal to make changes. Two of the best defensive linemen in the country are being pursued by the Nittany Lions in an effort to fill a weakness in the trenches.
ESNandon3 says that USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander and Louisiana Tech defensive tackle David Blay are scheduled to visit Penn State this weekend.
Born in Levittown, Blay attended Harry S. Truman High School north of Philadelphia before moving to West Chester in 2021 and 2022 to play Division II. After transferring to Louisiana Tech, Blay was selected to the first team of the Conference USA this year.
Blay recorded 46 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for loss, and 6 1/2 sacks at the end of the 2024 season. He has six tackles, two TFLs, and one sack during Louisiana Tech’s game against Arkansas on November 23.
According to on3, Blay is the ninth-ranked defensive tackle in the country. In addition, he is scheduled to visit USC and Oklahoma this weekend, as well as Illinois.
According to on3, Alexander is ranked as the fifth defensive tackle in the portal. Alexander is particularly interested in SMU, Oregon, and Penn State.
In the 2022 cycle, Alexander was a top four-star recruit. As a true freshman, he participated in 12 games at Georgia to begin his career. He left the Trojans in the middle of this season in order to keep his redshirt, but he transferred to USC for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Alexander had 51 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss, and 1 1/2 sacks in 16 games while playing at USC.
Prior to the 2025 season, Penn State might utilize defensive line assistance, especially on the interior. In addition to Zane Durant declaring for the 2025 NFL draft, Dvon J. Thomas will no longer be eligible. Defensive line coach Deion Barnes would then be without his two main starters for the upcoming season.
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Johnny McGonigal
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