Former Penn State offensive lineman announces transfer destination

STATE COLLEGE — One of the first Penn State players to enter the NCAA transfer portal at the end of the 2021 regular season has found his new home.

Offensive lineman Des Holmes announced Wednesday that he is transferring to Arizona State for the 2022 season. Holmes has one year of eligibility remaining.

“It is with my deepest gratitude that I say goodbye to Penn State and Nittany Nation,” Holmes wrote on Twitter. “I am grateful to the experience and support I received as a Nittany Lion. Thank you to my coaches, teammates and the awesome fans. Not only have I grown as a man but will never forget the experiences that shaped me to become the person I am today.

“I am extremely thankful for anyone who has came across my way in that building and have been blessed to have been apart of such a historic program. Life is about learning lessons and there are different seasons in your life and he has a plan. I want to thank God first and foremost for the blessing of the game and it is with great excitement that I move on to continue to play the game that I love in a new home in a new chapter in my life!

“I am proud to officially be committed to Arizona State University. Go Sun Devils!”

Thank you Lord for another Day! pic.twitter.com/mdWqOrx0EU

— Des Holmes™ (@des_holmes75) January 20, 2022

Holmes appeared in 11 games for Penn State during 2021, and during his five-year career in State College, he appeared in 33. Holmes primarily contributed on special teams during his final season with the Nittany Lions. He entered the transfer portal in December.

The 6-foot-5, 321-pound Holmes was a member of the Class of 2017. He was a three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings, and he was ranked as the No. 13 player in Pennsylvania.

Holmes was the third Penn State player to enter the transfer portal after safeties Tyler Rudolph and Enzo Jennings. Holmes joins Rudolph (UMass), quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson (UConn) and running back Noah Cain (LSU) as Penn State transfers who have found new homes.

Jennings, wide receiver Norval Black, defensive tackle Joseph Appiah Darkwa and offensive linemen Will Knutsson and Kaleb Konigus remain in the transfer portal.

Penn State’s lone addition from the transfer portal so far this offseason is Western Kentucky wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley.