STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Coach James Franklin of Penn State expressed his concerns regarding the current college football landscape as backup quarterback Beau Pribula has made the decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Pribula played a significant role during the Nittany Lions’ journey to the College Football Playoff, yet he will not be part of the team’s upcoming pursuit for national glory, commencing this Saturday against SMU at Beaver Stadium.
Franklin highlighted the evolving challenges in college football during a Monday address, noting that Pribula wished to remain with the team until the season’s conclusion. However, with only one quarterback position available and many spots being filled across various teams, Pribula felt compelled to make a decision he sees as a lose-lose scenario. “I concur with him,” Franklin stated, shedding light on the pressures facing players in his position.
Per NCAA regulations, players who wish to transfer must submit their names to the portal no later than December 28, and they cannot transfer again until after April 16, 2025. Franklin criticized this timeline, which was adjusted recently after coaches voiced their grievances. He referred to a situation with Marshall, which withdrew from a bowl game due to a high number of players entering the portal.
Pribula, originally from York, Pennsylvania, aspires to utilize his final two years of eligibility to start at a new institution. With the current starter Drew Allar expected to return next season for his senior year, Pribula recognized that staying at Penn State could mean waiting an additional year to play. The April transfer deadline would also limit his options and transition time, as most teams would likely have already secured quarterbacks and started spring practices by the portal’s closing date on April 25.
Despite his predicament, Pribula had dreams of competing for an NCAA championship with a team he longed to play for. This season, he amassed 517 total yards and contributed to nine touchdowns, but as we approach the transfer period, he will focus on finding a new team. “Beau has always wanted to attend Penn State,” Franklin remarked. “This has been his dream school, and he had an incredible run here. It’s vital for everyone to understand why we’ve created a scenario where he cannot finish the season with his team.”
While Franklin has previously maintained that players who enter the portal would not be included in the team’s future plans, he made an exception for Pribula after discussions this week indicated that the quarterback’s attention was divided. They mutually agreed it would be best for Pribula to concentrate on his finals and explore potential new schools.
“Beau expressed concerns about balancing his schoolwork, searching for a new program, and continuing to prepare as if he was the starting quarterback,” Franklin noted. Although Pribula was not the primary starter, he stepped up significantly when needed. Notably, he substituted for an injured Allar during a pivotal moment against Wisconsin, guiding the team to a comeback 28-13 victory by completing 11 of 13 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, along with 48 rushing yards on six attempts.
“Beau is among the best teammates I’ve ever encountered,” said center Nick Dawkins. “Situations like this, where players are pressured to make personal choices that affect the overall team, are challenging. I genuinely wish him nothing but success.” Without Pribula’s presence, Penn State will likely rely on freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer to serve as Allar’s backup. Although Grunkemeyer has accompanied the team, he has yet to play in a game.
Another freshman, Jaxon Smolik, is also an option, although he was only recently cleared to return to practice after a lengthy injury absence this season. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki remarked that the loss of Pribula is an obstacle in their strategy, yet they are poised to adapt their game plan accordingly.