Everyone who has followed the Penn State football team in 2023 understands the need for additional WRs. The Nittany Lions didn’t have consistent contributors outside of KeAndre Lambert-Smith and, towards the end of the season, Dante Cephas. Now that the transfer portal is open, it is James Franklin’s responsibility to find additional talent. It appears that he has already started on that by approaching top transfer portal WR Deion Burks. Based on today’s report, there is some mutual interest between Penn State and Burks.
Deion Burks just finished his sophomore season with the Purdue Boilermakers in 2023. He had a career year this season, racking up 47 receptions for 629 yards and 7 touchdowns. He announced his intent to enter his name in the transfer portal on November 28th, and this morning, he officially entered the portal.
BREAKING: Purdue WR Deion Burks plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
The 5’10 185 WR started all 12 games for the Boilermakers this year.
Hauled in 47 receptions for 629 yards & 7 TDs this year
Will have 2 years of eligibility remaining… pic.twitter.com/t06qORuI02
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 28, 2023
But the most interesting report surrounding Deion Burks broke this morning by 247sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong. He stated in his report that Deion Burks is currently speaking with Texas, Oklahoma, USC, and Penn State. This would be a massive addition to the Penn State football team if James Franklin and Marques Hagans seal the deal with Burks.
At the time of Wiltfong’s tweet, Burks was the No. 1 WR in the 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings. Burks is currently the No. 11 rated transfer and the No. 3 ranked WR after additional players entered the portal this afternoon.
Purdue WR Deion Burks is @247Sports No. 1 ranked player at the position in our Transfer Portal Rankings. Schools he's talking to include #Texas #PennState #Oklahoma #USC among others. Out of Belleville (Mich.) High, he could also go the NFL Draft route. Story here:…
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) December 4, 2023
On the flip side, Penn State can’t retain all of its talent in this era of college football. If players do not see a path to playing time, they will enter the transfer portal themselves.
We saw that side of this today when Cristian Driver entered his name in the transfer portal. He appeared in four games and recorded 1 catch for 8 yards against Delaware in 2o23.
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