At the end of the 2023 football season, the Quakers have seen five seniors enter the transfer portal according to On3 Recruiting — linebacker Jonathan Melvin, defensive backs Kendren Smith and Shiloh Means, defensive lineman Joey Slackman, and offensive lineman Jack Purcell — to take advantage of their final year of collegiate eligibility. Before they leave Penn, here’s a look back at their last season as Quakers.
Melvin officially entered the transfer portal on Nov. 6. Last year, Melvin was named the Quakers’ co-captain. This title came off a successful year in 2022, where he played and started in all ten games. This past season, Melvin played in eight games, finishing with 16 tackles — seven of them against Dartmouth on Sep. 20. Melvin has received offers from Lamar University, Jackson State University, Hampton University, Campbell University, and University of New Hampshire. As of Dec. 6, Melvin has yet to sign with another team.
Smith entered the transfer portal on Nov. 20. He had a powerful senior season, playing in all ten games. He finished his final Red and Blue campaign with 58 total tackles, 42 solo and 16 assists. He registered a season-high 10 tackles in the team's game against Harvard on Nov. 11. Currently, Smith has received offers from Georgia Southern University, University of Tulsa, Arkansas State University, University of Northern Texas, Austin Peay State University, Georgia State, University of Delaware, Samford University, Florida Atlantic University, University of New Hampshire, and Ohio University. He has yet to make a decision.
Senior defensive guard Joey Slackman also entered the transfer portal on Nov. 20. He played a powerful season for his last year as a Quaker, finishing with 50 tackles, 12 TFLs, and 48 yards. For sacks, he registered 30 yards. He set a season-high 11 tackles against Brown on Oct. 27. Slackman has received dozens of offers in the last few weeks.
Purcell entered the portal on Nov. 21. He played in all ten games this past season. Purcell has received offers from San Diego State, Bowling Green, Butler University, University of New Hampshire, Sacred Heart University, Ball State University, Monmouth University, University of Massachusetts, and University of San Diego. Currently, Purcell has not made a decision.
Means entered the transfer portal more recently on Dec. 4. Means finished his Quaker career with a bang, ending the season having played in every game. He racked up a total of 44 tackles, eight of which were against Harvard on Nov. 11 — a season high. Means has received offers from Western Michigan University, Middle Tennessee State University, Florida Atlantic University, Jacksonville State, Western Kentucky University, University of Houston, and Southern Illinois, though he has not completed the transfer to another school.
Though not confirmed by On3 Recruiting, three additional seniors — defensive back Logan Nash, defensive lineman Will Seiler, and offensive lineman Jake Ligos — have also announced their entry to the transfer portal on their personal X accounts.
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