Penn State OL Alex Birchmeier set to enter transfer portal

Penn State offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier has decided to enter the transfer portal.

A 6-foot-5, 310-pound interior lineman, Birchmeier was a member of Penn State’s Class of 2023. A former four-star prospect from Broad Run High in Ashburn, Va., he was the first player to commit to the Nittany Lions in that class, announcing his decision in July 2021.

He earned more than two dozen offers at the time, choosing the Nittany Lions over schools like Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State. The Adidas All-American finished as the third-ranked interior offensive lineman and No. 56 nationally, according to Rivals’ Industry Rankings.

After redshirting his first season, Birchmeier totaled 121 snaps during the 2024 season, most of which were on special teams. He saw his snap total drop to 51 this season, primarily playing on the team’s field-goal unit.

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Birchmeier is now the fourth Penn State player to publicly announce that he’ll enter the transfer portal. On Thursday, freshman defensive end Chaz Coleman announced that he plans to enter. According to On3’s Industry Rankings, Coleman is currently the top-ranked prospect available in the portal. Both cornerback Elliot Washington and tight end Joey Schlaffer have also declared that they plan to transfer.

Unlike in previous years, there’s only one transfer portal window this year after the NCAA voted to eliminate the spring window. It’ll officially open on Jan. 2 and will stay open for 15 days, ending on Jan. 16. Those playing in the College Football Playoff title game will then have a five-day window to enter the portal at the end of the season.

Penn State’s spring 2026 semester has classes set to begin on Jan. 12. Matt Campbell and his staff have until roughly January 20th to get as many players enrolled as possible to have them available for spring practice.