Former Syracuse WR Trebor Peña transfers to Penn State
Trebor Peña's transfer to Penn State Saturday comes on the heels of a career-high 84 receptions for 941 receiving yards last season with Syracuse. Angelina Grevi | Staff Photographer
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Former Syracuse wide receiver Trebor Peña has transferred to Penn State, he posted on social media Saturday. Peña unexpectedly entered the transfer portal after a career-high 84 receptions and 941 receiving yards in 2024.
The Ocean Township, New Jersey, native was set to enter his sixth season with the Orange in 2025 and became a top target throughout spring training camp after Oronde Gadsden II and Jackson Meeks declared for the NFL Draft. He wore a non-contact jersey in SU’s Spring Game on April 12 and rarely appeared. Three days later, he entered the transfer portal.
The move was surprising based on Peña’s new status as a captain. In an interview on ESPN Radio Syracuse, SU head coach Fran Brown was candid when detailing Peña’s expected departure. He said Peña would’ve received a raise following the 2024 campaign but asked for numbers Brown said he “couldn’t do.”
Brown said a $2 million evaluation for a wide receiver is a number reserved for expected top prospects like recent Jacksonville Jaguars No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter and Ohio State freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith.
Brown also inferred Peña was asking questions about Syracuse’s quarterback situation that only the coaching staff should be worried about. Following Kyle McCord’s departure to the NFL Draft, the Orange added LSU transfer Rickie Collins, who has just seven pass attempts in his career. Following Peña’s entrance into the transfer portal, SU added former Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli to create an expected competition through training camp.
Once entering the transfer portal, Peña garnered interest from UCLA, USC, Miami and Penn State before landing with the Nittany Lions.
He visited Penn State on April 18 and announced his commitment eight days later. He joins a squad led by returning quarterback Drew Allar, whose 3,327 passing yards led the Nittany Lions to the National Semifinal a year ago. However, Penn State lacked consistent wide receiver threats. The Nittany Lions’ top receiver secured just 46 receptions as tight end Tyler Warren ran the show. Warren was selected with the No. 14 pick in the NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
With Peña’s exit, the Orange are forced to lean on Darrell Gill Jr. and Justus Ross-Simmons in bigger roles. Emanuel Ross could also be a consistent target, and freshman Demetres Samuel Jr. is expected to receive reps at wide receiver.
