A Penn State Freshman Enters the Transfer Portal

One coach described Ken Talley as the 'heartbeat' of Penn State's 2022 defensive recruiting class. He's now in the portal.

Ken Talley, a 4-star recruit who was among the leading personalities of Penn State's 2022 recruiting class, has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

247Sports and On3 first reported the news, which ESPN's Tom VanHaaren confirmed with Talley. His name no longer is listed on Penn State's 2022 football roster. On Tuesday, Talley announced the decision on Twitter.

First off I want to say thank you to Coach Franklin and the whole Penn State staff for giving me the opportunity to be a Nittany Lion I loved every second of it especially the love of the fans with that being said I am now in the Transfer Portal #respectmydecision pic.twitter.com/sO26m9UhYq

— KEN “🃏” TALLEY (@KenTalley22) August 16, 2022

Talley graduated from Northeast High in Philadelphia, where he became one of Pennsylvania's top defensive players. He was a two-time MVP in Philadelphia Public League's Class 6A and helped Northeast to two league titles.

Talley (6-2, 238 pounds) made 95 tackles, including 20 for loss, and five sacks as a senior. He was an ESPN Top 300 prospect and a top-10 player in Pennsylvania. Talley worked with the defensive line early in camp, though the coaching staff also projected him as a possible linebacker.

Penn State's coaches were quite impressed with Talley's impact on the 2022 recruiting class. During the program's Signing Day ceremony in December, assistant coach Terry Smith said Talley's personality "set the tone for the class," comparing him to former Penn State captain Jesse Luketa.

"He's the heartbeat," Smith said in December. "... What Jesse Luketa has brought to us as the pulse of the defense, I think this guy is going to bring that to us. His energy, his smile, his personality, his tenacity, the dog in him, I think he's going to lay a mark on us that a lot of guys are going to follow."

Talley is the second player to leave Penn State's program since training camp began. Running back Caziah Holmes no longer is with the program.

Penn State begins the 2022 season Sept. 1 against Purdue.

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.