Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula plans to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal

On By Littum

Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal, a source told On3’s Pete Nakos on Sunday night. The Nittany Lion quarterback is not expected to be with the team for the College Football Playoff, according to Nakos. Head coach James Franklin’s program is no. 6 seed and meets SMU in the first round. Kickoff is set for noon ET on Dec. 21. TNT will televise the game from Beaver Stadium.

Pribula completed 26 of 35 passes for 275 yards, five touchdowns and one interception this season. He also rushed 38 times for 260 yards and four scores. He was the Lions’ backup the last two seasons. If he ultimately decides not to stick around for the Lions’ College Football Playoff matchup with the Mustangs, the freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer will likely be the team’s backup quarterback. Penn State could have a redshirt freshman Jaxon Smolik back in action. But his status has not been updated since September 25.

“Jaxon is only capable of doing what you’ve seen so far,” Franklin said. “He has been authorized to throw claps and go in pregame. So that’s kind of where he is.”

Pribula took the opportunity to lead the Lions over Wisconsin on the road earlier this year with Allar on the sidelines. It probably wouldn’t be in a playoff spot without that win.

“I’m proud of him,” Franklin said after the game. “He’s a winner. He accepts his role and fights every week to be the starting quarterback. Plays with his feet, his mind and his arm. I couldn’t be more proud of him. He’s a great player and he’s unselfish in a time in college football where a lot of guys are selfish.”

Added Pribula:

“My coach, Danny O’Brien, does a great job of keeping the mindset of getting us ready to go. So it really wasn’t difficult. Just had to settle in a bit. My teammates had my back. Fortunately, we leave here with a dub. It was a fantastic atmosphere.

“I didn’t want to let my teammates down. We work hard to give up something like that. Just come in and do my job and that’s all I have to do. Keep these wins coming.”

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