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Key member of Penn State defense announces return for 2022 season

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•12/23/21•

ChandlerVessels

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Penn State safety Jonathan Sutherland will return for the 2022 season, he announced Thursday. The senior will use his extra year of eligibility to play a sixth season with the Nittany Lions.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God for allowing me to be in this position, for his patience and grace that have carried me here,” Sutherland wrote. “I can’t begin to explain how blessed I’ve been to be able to play football for Penn State for the past five years. Since I was eight years old playing football in Canada, it has always been a dream of mine to make the transition to the states to play at the collegiate level. To be able to fulfill that dream and play in front of the best fans in the world is a feeling I cannot put into words.

“…With that being said, after careful thought and consideration with my loved ones and coaches, I will be using my extra year of eligibility to return for my sixth year at Penn State. I want to thank my teammates, coaches and family for the sacrifices they have made over the years. The memories I have made with my teammates and throughout my time here will last a lifetime and I look forward to making more. My work here isn’t done and I look forward to seeing everyone next season. I want to personally thank coach (James) Franklin and the rest of the staff for the continued opportunity to be part of this culture.”

A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Sutherland came to Happy Valley as a highly regarded recruit. He was a four-star and the No. 358 overall player in the class of 2017, according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The safety has recorded a total of 93 tackles (6.5 for loss), four passes defended, an interception and a forced fumble throughout his career. He has 19 tackles to go with an interception in 2021.

Penn State finished the year with a 7-5 record, earning a trip to the Outback Bowl. The Nittany Lions will face Arkansas at noon ET on New Year’s Day.

With the return of Jonathan Sutherland and the addition of defensive coordinator Manny Diaz for the 2022 season, the defense will look to build upon this year.