Penn State QB Beau Pribula enters the transfer portal ahead of the College Football Playoff

Before Penn State ramps up its game-week preparation for SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the program got a surprise with a transfer portal decision. A key part of the Nittany Lions offense will enter the portal and be the program’s highest-profile participant yet.

Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula announced on social media that he will be entering the transfer portal. Pribula, a redshirt sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining, has added another dimension to Penn State’s offense as a replacement for Drew Allar.

Perhaps the biggest immediate concern surrounding Pribula’s departure is that he will enter the portal immediately and not be with the team during the College Football Playoff against SMU, which begins this weekend.

The current college football landscape seemed to play a big role in Pribula’s decision. The transfer portal opened last week right as the College Football Playoff began, forcing players like Pribula to make difficult decisions. Pribula likely sees himself as the starting quarterback, which means he needs to find a home as quickly as possible to have the best chance of success.

It’s a tough blow for Penn State, which has frequently used Pribula as a quarterback for variety this season. Pribula completed 26 of 35 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. He also ran 38 times for 242 yards and four touchdowns. The dual-threat quarterback should be a hot commodity for programs looking for a capable starting signal-caller.

Penn State is now left with Allar, redshirt freshman Jaxon Smolik and freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer. Grunkemeyer received rave reviews for his performances this spring and in practice. Whether Pribula’s transfer means Allar is coming back for another season or another transfer occurs remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt it’s still a surprise ahead of Penn State’s biggest game of the year.

The Nittany Lions open the College Football Playoff against SMU on December 21st at Beaver Stadium and will now be without Beau Pribula, who is a key contributor to their offense.

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The story originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire