Jahan Dotson reflects on returning to Penn State for 2021 season, Pro Day, his NFL Draft hopes, and more

STATE COLLEGE — Jahan Dotson said Thursday that his return to Penn State for the 2021 season didn’t go exactly as planned.

The goal, the now-former Nittany Lion said, was to win a championship. But, the Lions wasted a 5-0 start and ultimately finished 7-6 following an Outback Bowl loss to Arkansas.

Dotson had already moved on from the team by the time the postseason concluded. He opted out of the game in Tampa, Fla., to begin fully preparing for the NFL Draft. That decision has paid off, as he could be the first Nittany Lion to go off the board in April.

It’s partially because his choice to come back for another year in blue and white worked out, at least from an individual perspective. Dotson’s stock has soared since last September, and that isn’t going to change now with Pro Day in the books.

“It just doesn’t feel real sometimes that this is my life now,” Dotson said.

“I’m almost so close to what I’ve been dreaming about for a very long time. It’s really surreal. I’m just taking it all in.”

Recapping Dotson’s Penn State Pro Day

All 32 NFL teams sent at least one representative to town to see 15 Lions work out.

Dotson had everyone’s attention when he went through on-field pass-catching drills. Former teammate and current Penn State passer Sean Clifford riffled a number of strong throws in Dotson’s direction, and he hauled in almost all of them. A recent rule change allowed that to be the case. Before this year, current college players could not be involved in any way during drills at Pro Day.

“I never thought about it being anyone else,” Dotson said. “I didn’t. There was like a little mix-up where we didn’t think he would be able to throw. I was kind of bummed out about that, just because that’s always been my guy. But, we kind of got that resolved a couple of days ago, and it was just a relief to hear that.

“Having that connection is huge for me. That’s my guy the past three years. I felt most comfortable with him. I made sure that he was going to be the guy out here throwing to me. It was beautiful.”

Dotson was his usual strong and reliable self throughout the day. He did nothing to hurt his stock in front of the likes of Denver Broncos general manager John Lynch and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, among many others.

Looking back at his time as a Lion

Dotson could have been in this position following the 2020 season. However, he elected to come back. It was the right decision, even if Penn State didn’t accomplish the team goals the receiver had hoped it would.

“I wanted to win a championship,” Dotson said. “I’m a huge team guy. I love my guys. I wanted to win a championship. That was the biggest reason I came back. We didn’t do that. You can’t dwell on it. You got to move forward. I’m perfecting my craft, and I feel like it was a great decision for me to come back. Individually, I was able to better myself, and better my stock in the draft.”

What’s next for the former Penn State star?

Media mock draft season is in full swing. Many of them have Dotson going in the first round, perhaps to the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, or Green Bay Packers.

Dotson said he tries to avoid the hype that is currently surrounding his name. But, family and friends usually do not miss an opportunity to let him know where ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr., or Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network think he could land. It’s all a part of a process that he hopes culminates with hearing his name on Day 1, which would mean he is a Round 1 selection.

“I’m a big firm believer in going with the flow,” Dotson said. “Not only in this football thing but life in general. You got to control what you can control. I can’t control that stuff. So just focus on myself.”

How does the former Penn State star ignore the noise?

“It’s easy,” he said. “Just coming out here and working. When I’m in [between] these lines, I feel like all that stuff is blocked out. The more I just keep working, I’m going to better myself.”

He said it

Dotson, on his anticipation for the Draft:

“I’m ready. Like I said, I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment. I can’t wait to take it all in, especially with my family there by my side. My parents, they’ve been sacrificing since I was a little kid to put me in the best position possible to be successful. Finally seeing it all pay off. It’s going to be cool to have them right by my side.”