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Former Penn State signee Ken Talley announces commitment to Michigan State

After entering the transfer portal on Aug. 15, the former Northeast High standout has found a new home in the Big Ten.

Defensive end Ken Talley, who initially signed with Penn State, has decided to play football at Michigan State.
Defensive end Ken Talley, who initially signed with Penn State, has decided to play football at Michigan State.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer
    by Devin Jackson, For The Inquirer
    Published 

Just a few weeks after announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal, former Penn State recruit Ken Talley has found a new home elsewhere in the Big Ten.

The four-star defensive end, who starred at Philadelphia’s Northeast High School, announced his commitment to Michigan State on Wednesday morning, joining Mel Tucker’s program, which is fresh off an appearance in the Peach Bowl.

The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Talley was consistently ranked as a top-25 edge rusher nationwide last season and was listed as one of the 10 best players in Pennsylvania during his recruitment. Before signing with Penn State, he had plenty of suitors, including the Spartans, according to his 24/7 Sports recruiting page.

The Philly native announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Aug. 15, which was first reported by On3 and 24/7 Sports. Talley was one of two Penn State players who entered the transfer portal during training camp, joining Caziah Holmes, a four-star running back from the Nittany Lions’ 2020 recruiting class who recently transferred to Florida State.

» READ MORE: Penn State loses top Public League recruit Ken Talley

Even before Talley’s commitment to Michigan State, the Spartans’ 2022 recruiting class was ranked inside the top 30 nationally by the 24/7 Sports and On3 websites. The class includes a handful of four-star prospects who are ranked as top-300 recruits nationally. Michigan State also ranked in the top four in the Big Ten in terms of recruiting ranking.

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Talley and fellow Public League standouts Abdul Carter (La Salle College High School) and Keon Wylie (Imhotep Charter) were the first Public League recruits for Penn State since 2016. The Nittany Lions have not signed a Catholic League player since 2017.