Penn State offensive lineman J'Ven Williams set to enter the transfer portal after three seasons with the Lions

Penn State offensive tackle J’Ven Williams plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2, On3’s Pete Nakos and Hayes Fawcett report. The Reading, Pa., Wyomissing blocker is finishing his third year in State College. After redshirting in 2023, he played primarily special teams in 2024. Then, in 2025, he took just two snaps on offense and 15 on speical teams. All were during the non-conference portion of the season back in September. Those were the only two games he played in this fall.

“J’Ven, had a little injury that is kind of still setting him back,” former Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein said in November. “Hasn’t been able to do much. Hopefully he can keep getting better.”

Williams came to the Nittany Lions in the recruiting Class of 2026. A Rivals Industry Ranking four-star recruit, he was the No. 43 player overall that year and the No. 1 interior offensive lineman. However, he spent his time at Penn State mostly behind veteran blockers and thus did not crack the rotation. He could have in 2026. But, he will elect to attempt to do so elsewhere.

If he were to ask for and get a medical redshirt for this season from the NCAA, he could have three years of eligibility left. He will have at least two to use at his next stop.

Roster tracker

Who has announced that they will be back at Penn State in 2026?

OT Anthony Donkoh
OG Cooper Cousins
OT Owen Aliciene
TE Andrew Rappleya
S Dejuan Lane

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Planed Transfer portal entries when it opens on Jan. 2

TE Joey Schlaffer
OG Alex Birchmeier
WR Aaron Enterline
WR Anthony Ivey
QB Bekkem Kritza
CB Elliot Washington II
DE Chaz Coleman
CB AJ Harris
LB Kari Jackson
DE Daniel Jennings
DE Zuriah Fisher
LB Keon Wylie
WR Kaden Saunders
DT Xavier Gilliam
DT Sam Siafa
DB Braz Thomas
LB Anthony Speca
DE Jaylen Harvey
OL TJ Shanahan
TE Luke Reynolds
WR Jeff Exinor
OL J’ven Williams