Pair of Penn State Football stars opting out of Outback Bowl, entering NFL Draft

Penn State Football safety Jaquan Brisker and wide receiver Jahan Dotson both announced via twitter today that they will be opting out of the Outback Bowl and entering their names into the 2022 NFL Draft 

Penn State Football star wide receiver Jahan Dotson delivered the inevitable news to Nittany Nation on Twitter Monday evening, that he will in fact be opting out of the Outback Bowl and entering his name into the NFL Draft.

Dotson surprised the fan base when he decided to return for the 2021 season and after once again dominating the competition, it appears he is off to become a first round pick in April.

The Nazareth, Pa native caught 91 passes for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season, surpassing even the most optimistic of projections. He leaves Penn State Football with 183 career receptions for 2,757 yards and 26 total touchdowns, making him one of the greatest to ever do it in the blue and white.

Dotson has accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl along with a few other draft-eligible Nittany Lions seniors, however he will have the most eyes on him of the bunch, as he projects to be a virtual lock to be a first-round pick.

Both ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have him going in the later part of the first round in their initial mock drafts, and at one time was even the eight ranked player on Kiper’s draft big board back in October.

His highlight reel will mimic that of Saquon Barkley, Micah Parsons and Allen Robinson leaving him in Penn State Football lore. There will be no replacing Jahan Dotson in 2022 or beyond, but Nittany Lion fans should be grateful for the Saturday’s they did have watching and cheering on Dotson in a Penn State Football unifiorm.

Penn State Football will be without yet another defensive star when they take on Arkansas in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Senior safety Jaquan Brisker announced Monday that he will be opting out of the Outback Bowl to focus on the NFL Draft in April, marking the end of his days with the Nittany Lions.

The former JUCO standout had the choice to enter the draft last season as well, but chose to return to Happy Valley and it seems it was a wise choice, one that will likely make Brisker a lot of money as he projects to be a first or second round pick this year.

Brisker was sensational this past season, earning second-team Associated Press All-American honors and was named Penn State Football’s defensive most valuable player as voted on by the coaches and players.

He finished fourth on the team with 63 total tackles but also added two interceptions, five pass breakups and one fumble recovery. He and Ji’Ayir Brown, who announced he will be returning for a final season in 2022, formed one of the best safety tandems in the country this past season.

Brisker has already accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama this winter where he will have a chance to show off in front of all 32 NFL teams against the best seniors in college football.

ESPN’s player draft rankings have Brisker ranked as the 56th best player in this year’s draft and both experts, Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have him ranked in the top three at his position.