Penn State football is actively searching for linebacker reinforcements in the transfer portal as head coach **James Franklin** looks to address depth concerns ahead of the 2025 season. With key departures and a need for experienced talent, the Nittany Lions are evaluating top transfer targets to strengthen their defensive unit.
### **Why Penn State Needs Linebacker Help**
Penn State’s linebacker corps took a hit with the unexpected departures of **Ta’Mere Robinson and Beckham Dee**, leaving the team thin at the position [A](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/top-transfer-portal-linebacker-sets-194148762.html?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoieFM5NlVTV0V3SnZNTWo2RXlIcGFTIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvc3BvcnRzLnlhaG9vLmNvbVwvYXJ0aWNsZVwvdG9wLXRyYW5zZmVyLXBvcnRhbC1saW5lYmFja2VyLXNldHMtMTk0MTQ4NzYyLmh0bWwifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). While the Nittany Lions have promising young players, Franklin has emphasized the importance of adding depth to ensure stability throughout the season [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/report-penn-state-set-to-host-top-transfer-portal-linebacker/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoieFM5NlVTV0V3SnZNTWo2RXlIcGFTIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9wZW5uLXN0YXRlLW5pdHRhbnktbGlvbnNcL25ld3NcL3JlcG9ydC1wZW5uLXN0YXRlLXNldC10by1ob3N0LXRvcC10cmFuc2Zlci1wb3J0YWwtbGluZWJhY2tlclwvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Following Penn State’s **Blue-White Game**, Franklin acknowledged the need for reinforcements, stating, *“I think we got enough in the room, but to get through an entire season, if we get some injuries, it could get challenging. So we’re going to look at the portal, see if we can find a solution.”* [A](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/top-transfer-portal-linebacker-sets-194148762.html?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoieFM5NlVTV0V3SnZNTWo2RXlIcGFTIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvc3BvcnRzLnlhaG9vLmNvbVwvYXJ0aWNsZVwvdG9wLXRyYW5zZmVyLXBvcnRhbC1saW5lYmFja2VyLXNldHMtMTk0MTQ4NzYyLmh0bWwifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1)
### **Top Transfer Targets**
One of the most notable linebackers in the transfer portal is **Amare Campbell**, a standout from North Carolina [A](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/top-transfer-portal-linebacker-sets-194148762.html?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoieFM5NlVTV0V3SnZNTWo2RXlIcGFTIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvc3BvcnRzLnlhaG9vLmNvbVwvYXJ0aWNsZVwvdG9wLXRyYW5zZmVyLXBvcnRhbC1saW5lYmFja2VyLXNldHMtMTk0MTQ4NzYyLmh0bWwifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Campbell recorded **76 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and a forced fumble** last season, proving himself as a reliable power conference starter land a top-tier transfer, the Nittany Lions will be well-positioned to compete at a high level in the Big Ten.
Stay tuned as Penn State navigates the transfer portal and works to build a formidable linebacker unit for the upcoming season. [B](https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/report-penn-state-set-to-host-top-transfer-portal-linebacker/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ2dWhaWDlYa25yVTVIbUV0Y3RqOVQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoieFM5NlVTV0V3SnZNTWo2RXlIcGFTIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm9uMy5jb21cL3RlYW1zXC9wZW5uLXN0YXRlLW5pdHRhbnktbGlvbnNcL25ld3NcL3JlcG9ydC1wZW5uLXN0YXRlLXNldC10by1ob3N0LXRvcC10cmFuc2Zlci1wb3J0YWwtbGluZWJhY2tlclwvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1)
