Ex-Clairton standout might leave Penn State

Penn State safety Lamont Wade, one of the nation’s top high school players in his career at Clairton, reportedly has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The report, which came from Cole Cubelic of the SEC Network, said Nittany Lions defensive back Zech McPhearson and wide receiver Brandon Polk also have entered the transfer portal.

Players who go into the portal are not obliged to transfer, but can be approached by schools interested in them. McPhearson, though, confirmed on social media that he intends to move on after graduating this spring.

Penn State wide receiver Juwan Johnson entered the portal Friday, then confirmed his intention to leave Penn State a few hours later.

Because Johnson, who will be a redshirt senior in 2019, has graduated, he will be eligible to play in 2019.

Wade, who is a sophomore, presumably would have to sit out a season if he changes schools unless he qualifies under a hardship provision.

He has been penciled in as a potential starter at safety this fall after contributing primarily on special teams in his first two years at Penn State.

Wade had 12 solo tackles and was in on six others in 13 games in the 2018 season.

N.C. State

N.C. State added former West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson to its coaching staff.

Coach Dave Doeren said Sunday Gibson will be the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

Gibson helped develop linebacker David Long into the Big 12 Conference defensive player of the year in 2018 and led the Mountaineers defense for the past five years. He left West Virginia after the head-coaching transition from Dana Holgorsen, who left for Houston, to Neal Brown, who came from Troy.

Gibson will work alongside defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable with the Wolfpack. He fills the vacancy created when Ted Roof left after one season for Appalachian State, where former N.C. State offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz was hired as head coach.

Alabama

All-America safety Deionte Thompson joined a growing crowd of Crimson Tide players leaving early for the NFL draft.

Thompson announced his decision Sunday on Twitter. He’s the sixth Crimson Tide underclassman to announce his decision to leave early.

Thompson was a consensus All-American in his first season as the starter. He made 79 tackles and had two interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Thompson, who already has graduated, says his experience at Alabama was “undeniably life-changing and an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world.” He’s widely projected as a potential firstround pick.

Cornerback Saivion Smith announced Saturday that he’s turning pro. A day earlier, left tackle Jonah Williams, defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, tailback Josh Jacobs and tight end Irv Smith Jr. all declared for the draft.

Also at Alabama, Steve Sarkisian reportedly is expected to become the Crimson Tide’s next offensive coordinator.

The NFL Arizona Cardinals offered Sarkisian the offensive coordinator position, but he apparently has agreed to return to work on Nick Saban’s staff.