Former Syracuse cornerback Ibn McDaniels transfers to Penn State
Former Syracuse cornerback Ibn McDaniels has committed to Penn State, he announced on social media Friday. Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer
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Former Syracuse cornerback Ibn McDaniels has committed to Penn State, he announced on social media Friday. McDaniels redshirted in 2024, before appearing in 11 games for the Orange this season.
McDaniels entered the portal on Dec. 8, joining 25 other Syracuse players to leave the program. The redshirt freshman was part of an SU defense which ranked towards the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference in every statistical category. McDaniels only played 109 defensive snaps in eight games, according to Pro Football Focus. The cornerback received a 58.9 defensive grade from PFF, including a measly 29 tackling grade.
An Elizabeth, New Jersey native, McDaniels was a three-star recruit coming out of Elizabeth High School. He was the No. 23 player out of New Jersey in the 2024 recruiting class and the 121st-best cornerback in the country. McDaniels appeared in four games as a freshman for Syracuse, but redshirted.
With McDaniels gone, Syracuse’s cornerback room remains solid. The Orange have Demetres Samuel Jr. and Chris Peal on the outside. However, Fran Brown will have to bring in more help for the secondary. SU’s starting safety’s Devin Grant and Duce Chestnut both declared for the NFL Draft, leaving the Orange inexperienced in that position.
McDaniels will join Matt Campbell for his first season at Penn State. The former Iowa State head coach was hired by the Nittany Lions on Dec. 8 after James Franklin was fired early into last season.
