Could Penn State’s Koby Howard Enter the Transfer Portal at Season’s End?
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team has not lived up to expectations in 2026. Much of that comes down to a new squad and an injury to star wide receiver Koby Howard. Howard has not played since Week 3, and we are now in Week 10. The Nittany Lions are no longer a powerhouse program, and that could lead to questions about Howard’s future in Happy Valley. With that being said, it is a possibility that Howard could transfer, and let’s look at why he could and could not stay at Penn State.
Why Howard Could Enter the Transfer Portal
Penn State’s Program Downfall
The very first reason to believe Howard could enter the transfer portal is the downfall of the program in State College. The Nittany Lions went from a great program that just could not win the big games to a program that loses any game. The one reason for optimism about Howard staying is that, even after James Franklin was fired last season, he still returned in 2026. The issue is that the Lions have disappointed again in 2026 and currently have four losses, and that may scare him away from joining a true contender.
More Money
The next reason Howard could enter the transfer portal is the biggest factor in college football, and that is money. Penn State does not spend as much NIL money as the other top programs. Howard has become a young star and may want more money, which could ultimately get him out of State College as soon as the season ends.
Why Howard Could Stay at Penn State
Penn State’s First Option
Now we get into the case for Howard to stay a Nittany Lion. He is the number one wide receiver on the team and gets a ton of targets, which means playing time and his involvement in the offense are not the issue. They also have Chase Sowell, who fits in perfectly with Howard. Howard could consider staying another year to build his draft stock and emerge as college football’s top wide receiver. If he transfers, he gambles his opportunity as a main target, and that is why he could make the decision to stay put when the offseason comes.
The Potential of Matt Campbell
The other big reason to believe Howard could stay is the potential of the Nittany Lions head coach, Matt Campbell. Obviously, this season did not pan out the way Campbell had hoped in his first season, but he has an opportunity to build the team up and make it better than before. It is also important to remember that it is just his first year, and if Howard believes in Campbell, there is reason to believe he will not enter the transfer portal as soon as the season ends. The Lions gave Franklin over a decade to figure it out; there is no reason to believe Campbell will not, and it starts with keeping Howard at Penn State.
The Last Word
With the Penn State football program struggling, it is reasonable to question if Howard will return to Penn State in 2027 or if he will leave. There are a couple reasons to believe both sides of the coin, but there are plenty of reasons to be concerned as a Nittany Lions fan.
Howard has not played since Week 3, and if he does not play the rest of the season, there is a chance he will never play in a Penn State uniform again. If they do lose him, Campbell and his staff will have plenty of work to do in the offseason, but the first step is finishing the 2026 season on the highest note possible. Do you think the Nittany Lions will be able to maintain Howard when the offseason hits, or will he decide to enter the transfer portal and explore options elsewhere?
Main Image: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
