Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1492675
M A R C H 2 0 2 3 51 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / T R A N S F E R S / / / / / / / J ames Franklin may have mixed feelings about the transfer portal, but his team has used it judiciously the past few sea- sons and hopes that it has done so again in 2023. In recent years, the Nittany Lions have landed impactful trans- fers in all three phases of the game, from offense (wideout Mitch- ell Tinsley, lineman Hunter Nourzad) to defense (ends Arnold Ebiketie and Chop Robinson) to special teams (punter/kicker Jordan Stout). Now, Penn State is hoping to have success in all three phases at the same time. During the winter transfer window, PSU landed five players, all of whom could end up having a major impacts next fall. The list of newcomers consists of wide receivers Dante Cephas and Malik McClain, cornerback Storm Duck, punter Riley Thompson and placekicker Alex Felkins. All but Cephas are already enrolled at PSU and are set to begin battling for starting jobs when spring practice starts in March. Franklin said Penn State's academic schedule didn't necessar- ily lend itself to speedy transfer acquisitions this year. Classes for the spring semester began on Jan. 9 and, at that point, the Lions still hadn't met their needs at wide receiver, arguably their high- est priority. "Our academic calendar starts earlier than most," Franklin ex- plained. "A lot of times, guys go into the portal after the national championship game, and we're typically pretty far along. For us to get guys into school, accepted to school, starting classes — we have a smaller window than most." They did beat the late-addition deadline with McClain. The former Florida State wideout announced for PSU on Jan. 18 and enrolled that same day. Cephas, however, won't arrive until after he graduates from Kent State in the spring. While the staff was pleased with their recent successes, they may not be entirely finished adding to PSU's roster. The second transfer window will open in May to accommodate players who want to change schools after spring practice. Penn State will be paying close attention. "There will be some opportunities at that point," Franklin said. — Matt Herb Storm Duck accomplished what he set out to do during his four years at North Carolina. Now, the graduate transfer cornerback is ready to embrace a new opportunity. "My goal going into UNC was to play football and get my degree," he said. "I did that. It was huge for me to get my degree. "As far as my growth, I wanted to have new scenery, be around new people and just challenge myself." Soon after he entered the portal in December, the All-ACC defensive back heard from Penn State tight ends coach Ty Howle, a North Carolina native and former PSU player. Duck said Howle's message stood out from the others he heard during his three weeks in the por- tal. "The way he came on the phone and presented himself and presented Penn State and the opportunities that you have there, it was different than what everybody else was saying. It felt like everything was genuine," Duck said. "All those guys, it just seemed like it was a family. I grew up being a big family person and hanging out with my family in the off time. I'm really big on relationships. "Becoming a part of something that the coaches are excited about, and them having good relationships with the players, it's huge. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?" Duck steps into a cornerbacks room led by veteran assistant coach Terry Smith. Under Smith's tutelage, Joey Porter Jr. developed into a projected first-round draft pick, while junior Kalen King is already being hailed as a likely high-round selection in 2024. "Coach Terry is a great guy," Duck said. "Seeing his résumé and talking to him just makes you want to play for him. "But beyond that, just talking to him to see what type of person he is, that really stood out to me. I felt like he was being real with me when I was talking to him." Rated the No. 16 cornerback in the transfer portal, Duck is already on cam- pus and has impressed coaches and teammates with his serious-minded demeanor. "Storm is very businesslike," head coach James Franklin said on Feb. 7, the first day of Penn State's winter work- outs. "We got an academic report this morning, and he's killing it." Duck will be competing with King, seniors Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy, and sophomore Cam Miller for reps at cornerback. He's eager to show what he brings to the Nittany Lions. "You have to go in and earn guys' re- spect," Duck said. "That's with every- thing in life. Every place you go, they can welcome you, but it takes time to earn respect. I'm just coming in to do everything the right way." — Nate Bauer Nittany Lions Pleased With 2023 Portal Acquisitions Storm Duck Heads To Penn State Seeking New Challenge THE DUCK FILE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ CB | Sr. 6-0 | 200 North Carolina Boiling Springs High Boiling Springs, S.C.