Tracking Penn State roster moves: PSU great leads opt-out list, assistants departing, more

PennLive has you covered when it comes to opt-outs and staff changes.

There will be plenty of news in terms of player movement and coaching turnover as new Penn State head coach Matt Campbell continues to build his 2026 coaching staff.

Here is PSU roster tracker update as of Friday morning:

PLAYER UPDATES

-- Fourth-year senior running back Nick Singleton will opt out of the Pinstripe Bowl, per a Thursday report by longtime Penn State columnist/beat reporter Rich Scarcella.

Singleton, a five-star signee from Governor Mifflin, is No. 4 on the Lions’ all-time rushing list. He is the program leader in rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns and all-purpose yards

-- Third-year junior corner Elliot Washington intends to enter the transfer portal, per a Thursday report from On3.

-- Fifth-year safety Zakee Wheatley announced Wednesday he is opting out of the Pinstripe Bowl to focus on the 2026 NFL draft.

-- Fourth-year defensive tackle Zane Durant announced Monday he is opting out of the Pinstripe Bowl to focus on the 2026 NFL draft.

-- Durant also has accepted an invite to play in the Senior Bowl at the end of January.

COACHING UPDATES

-- After reports came out that Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was expected to leave the program after one season to become Tennessee’s DC, it was confirmed Thursday Knowles would join the Volunteers’ program on a three-year deal.

-- Penn State running backs coach Stan Drayton is leaving to become South Carolina’s running backs coach and assistant head coach.

-- Lions tight end coach Ty Howle is expected to leave the program to become offensive coordinator for James Franklin at Virginia Tech.

-- PSU quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien also is joining Franklin with the Hokies.

STAYING

-- Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith will have a role on Campbell’s staff.

Check back at PennLive for the latest PSU roster updates with the Lions’ prepping for their Pinstripe Bowl matchup with Clemson later this month.

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