Tight end Joey Schlaffer (18) during Penn State’s 2025 Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium. Photo by Paul Burdick | For StateCollege.com
Penn State’s roster has taken its first roster hit since James Franklin’s firing.
As of Wednesday, redshirt sophomore tight end Joey Schlaffer has parted ways with the team, according to a program spokesperson. On3 was first to report the news.
Schlaffer was buried beneath a deep tight end room, receiving just seven snaps this season which placed him fifth behind Khalil Dinkins (318), Luke Reynolds (288), Andrew Rappleyea (186) and Finn Furmanek (13). He played in three games and had one catch, a 19-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against Villanova.
Schlaffer will have two seasons of eligibility, should he decide to enter the transfer portal when it opens in January.
Other tight ends on the roster include freshmen Brian Kortovich, Andrew Olesh and Matt Henderson, meaning there’s still plenty of depth at the position.
Schlaffer, a former four-star recruit per the 247Sports composite rankings, is from Reading, Pennsylvania, and was the No. 6 in-state recruit in the 2023 class.
He likely won’t be the only player to depart from the team following the head coaching change. Five days after a new coach is named, players will have a 15-day window to enter the transfer portal, in addition to the normal window which runs from Jan. 2-16.
