Penn State Adds Transfer Cornerback From Mississippi State

Penn State and Mississippi State have traded players in the NCAA Transfer Portal, with the Lions adding to their already deep cornerback room while a former running back heads to Starkville.

Audavion Collins, who redshirted as a freshman for the Bulldogs last season, announced plans to transfer to Penn State. Meanwhile, former Penn State running back Keyvone Lee has enrolled at Mississippi State, according to the Clarion Ledger.

Collins, who is from Georgia, was a 3-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, when he chose Mississippi State from an offer sheet that included Minnesota, Boston College, UCF, Oregon State and Tennessee. Collins entered the portal in April and received an offer from Penn State in early May. He arrives in State College with four years of eligibility.

Collins joins a strong position group at Penn State, which has recruited and developed defensive backs exceptionally well under coach Terry Smith. Penn State recently lost transfer cornerback Storm Duck, who went from North Carolina to Penn State to Louisville in the span of four months. Collins (6-0, 165 pounds) had committed to Mississippi State in August 2021.

Lee, meanwhile, heads to Mississippi State with two seasons of eligibility remaining. He spent three years at Penn State, leading the program in rushing for two of them (in 2020 and '21). Lee began last season as Penn State's starter, catching the game-winning touchdown pass against Purdue, but sustained a midseason injury against Michigan and did not play the remainder of the year. Lee was with the Lions at the Rose Bowl and entered the portal in January.

Penn State has added five players to its 2023 roster from the portal. The team lost 12 players, including quarterback Christian Veilleux (Pitt), cornerback Marquis Wilson (Purdue) and offensive lineman Jimmy Christ (Virginia).

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