Early Penn State football transfer portal target to visit SEC, Big 12 programs: reports

Originally posted on Basic Blues Nation | By Matt Thomas | Last updated 5/1/24

Despite being among the early teams to express interest in ex-Michigan State defensive end Bai Jobe, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are not expected to be the first to get their hands on the former top high school recruit. According to reporting from Pete Nakos and Steve Wiltfong of On3 on Tuesday, Jobe has locked in transfer portal visits to Mississippi State and Kansas this week, with more trips expected. The redshirt freshman was a top-50 prospect and top-10 edge rusher in the 2023 cycle.

Bai Jobe to visit Kansas and Mississippi State, per reports

The highest-rated recruit in Michigan State’s 2023 class, Bai Jobe quickly became one of the hottest names on the transfer portal market after departing from East Lansing after one season. Within hours, Jobe already had a growing list of teams expressing interest, including Penn State football.

But while the Nittany Lions made contact with Jobe hours after he entered the transfer portal, they will not be one of the first schools to get the ex-Spartan on campus. That honor goes to Kansas and Mississippi State. On Tuesday, On3’s Pete Nako and Steve Wiltfong reported that both programs are expected to host Bai Jobe later this week. While a date isn’t set, a trip to UTSA is also likely.

Former Michigan State DE Bai Jobe has locked in visits to Kansas, Mississippi State and UTSA. More transfer portal intel from @PeteNakos_ and I here: https://t.co/Wlv7hl85mV pic.twitter.com/PdutZNNIBc

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) April 30, 2024

These first visits may not be as high profile as some expected given the initial surge of interest Jobe received upon entering the transfer portal on April 24. Jobe was the No. 44 overall prospect in On3’s 2023 class rankings and No. 55 in 247Sports’ evaluations. Both outlets pegged the 6-3, 215-pound defensive end as the seventh-best edge rusher in the class and the top prospect out of Oklahoma.

Penn State football offered Bai Jobe in December 2021, while John Scott Jr. and Brent Pry were both still in Happy Valley. Jobe never visited and picked Michigan State over Alabama and Oklahoma. He recorded two tackles in his only appearance in 2023.

Dust settles on transfer portal season for Penn State football

The spring transfer portal window has now come and gone. Despite James Franklin’s cautioning for a potentially “interesting couple of weeks in college football,” things were relatively calm in Happy Valley.

The biggest splash came before the portal was even officially open, with KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s announced departure after not dressing for the Blue-White game. The Nittany Lions’ top receiver from 2023 recently made his pledge to Auburn.

In total, Penn State football lost three players following the conclusion of spring practice. Now that the spring entry window is closed, Franklin and his staff can look to the portal to potentially fill any roster gaps ahead of the summer.

But the Nittany Lions are in an interesting position with scholarships. That could make any additions, even at positions that are in glaring need, such as wide receiver, a challenge.

This article first appeared on Basic Blues Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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