Penn State’s defensive end room has been a team strength in recent years. James Franklin’s program has produced serious NFL talent — Yetur Gross-Matos, Odafe Oweh, Arnold Ebiketie, Adisa Isaac, Chop Robinson and now Abdul Carter.

Smith Vilbert, a Penn State defensive lineman who initially returned to the Nittany Lions for his 7th season, will enter the transfer portal instead.

Smith Vilbert received a seventh year of eligibility from the NCAA. He will likely use that with a new program.