Ex-Penn State football defender adds in-state offer in second transfer portal stint

Originally posted on Basic Blues Nation | By Matt Thomas | Last updated 5/6/24

A former Penn State football defensive lineman is searching for his third college program in as many years, but he may end up never leaving the Keystone State in the process. Last week, ex-Nittany Lions defender Joseph Appiah Darkwa added an offer from Mercyhurst University in Erie. Darkwa entered the transfer portal in April after spending the last two seasons at Temple.

Ex-Nittany Lion Joseph Appiah Darkwa adds offer from in-state Mercyhurst

It appears that former Nittany Lions defensive tackle Joseph Appiah Darkwa will be sliding down a level after his second stint in the transfer portal. On Wednesday, Darkwa announced that he had added a portal offer from Mercyhurst. Previously competing in Divison II, the Lakers will bump up to FCS play this fall.

The offer is Darkwa’s second from the FCS level, with Central Connecticut State also offering on April 23. The grad transfer picked up an offer from Division II Valdosta State as well.

Received an offer from @MercyhurstFB #lsupanchordown️️ pic.twitter.com/1mrJv1f6kF

— Joseph Appiah Darkwa (@DarkwaAppiah) May 1, 2024

Joseph Appiah Darkwa entered the transfer portal on April 19 after two seasons at Temple. He racked up eight tackles and one sack in two seasons with the Owls. A three-star recruit from Germany, Darkwa never saw the field in three years with Penn State football before entering the portal in January 2022.

Former Penn State safety to visit Alabama days after hitting transfer portal

After a relatively calm spring transfer portal window, Penn State football was hit with a wave of activity in the metaphorical 11th hour this week. The departures of five Nittany Lions — King Mack, David Kency, Malik McClain, London Montgomery, and Golden Israel-Achumba — were announced within an hour of each other Thursday afternoon.

Perhaps the most significant loss for 2024 and beyond is safety King Mack. Appearing in all 13 games as a true freshman, Mack was expected to factor into the rotation in the secondary this fall before coming into his own in 2025. The Fort Lauderdale native was a top 100 prospect in the class of 2023.

Reports in the hours after Mack entered the portal suggest that the rising sophomore was expected to visit Alabama this weekend. The SEC does not allow spring transfers within the conference to be eligible the following fall, which could make a return closer to home enticing for the young defensive back.

This article first appeared on Basic Blues Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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