The Lions247 team has its finger on the pulse of Penn State transfer portal news, recruiting, coaching staff moves and more after James Franklin's squad was eliminated in the semifinals of the College

Tom Allen wore a weary smile in Penn State's locker room after the Orange Bowl as he surveyed a silent, still group of players hurting over the Nittany Lions' 27-24 loss to Notre Dame. Penn State's defensive coordinator, at least for that moment, tried to find context.

The desire to run it back in 2025 will set high expectations — the highest of any of James Franklin's Penn State teams.

Nebraska will have to be at the top of its game to hang with Penn State. Coach Mark Manning won his 300th dual meet in his 24 years at Nebraska when the Huskers defeated Minnesota last Saturday. Manning is 300-107-3 at Nebraska.

The Penn State football roster that shined in the College Football Playoff semifinals and produced the most wins in school history will return a serious core of contributors. Foundationally, the Nittany Lions appear in about as good of shape as possible heading into preparations for a 2025 season with even greater expectations.

As Franklin said before hiring Allen last year, Penn State's defense is not in rebuild mode. The program is about winning now, which the returns of Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki have foreshadowed. Franklin is chasing hardware next season, and the defensive coordinator hire will reflect that.

USC defensive coordinator and Penn State letterman D'Anton Lynn has signed a contract extension with the Trojans.

The Michigan State Spartans skated by Penn State on Wednesday night to earn their 10th-straight win. Coach Tom Izzo spoke postgame, expressing his frustrations with his team's defensive effort and the extra hype his team has received.

Penn State wide receiver Harrison Wallace III is expected to enter the transfer portal after finishing the 2024 season as the Nittany Lions' leading pass catcher, 247Sports/CBS Sp

Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (6-5, 266) was a force opposite Abdul Carter and could wind up on multiple preseason All-America teams. Dennis-Sutton had eight sacks, 13 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hurries, an interception and two fumble recoveries last year.

Check out the greatest moments and plays in this matchup between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan State Spartans.

Nevertheless, Leonard didn’t have to think very long about where he wanted to go. He’d grown up a fan of Notre Dame — his great-grandfather, James Curran, played for the Fighting Irish in the 1940s — and committed in mid-December.