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Penn State defenders Curtis Jacobs, Adisa Isaac, waiting to make stay-or-go announcement

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•12/30/22•

GregPickel

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Curtis Jacobs of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts before a play against the Ohio Bobcats during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 10, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — Penn State defenders Curtis Jacobs and Adisa Isaac could both leave for the NFL following Monday’s matchup with Utah in the Rose Bowl. However, the linebacker and defensive end, respectively, are not yet ready to say whether or not they will.

Both players were available, along with a few other teammates and coordinator Manny Diaz during the Lions’ defense media day here on Friday. Each explained that they would be ready to decide after the game. And, the reason Jacobs shared likely covers both standouts’ mindsets.

“Honestly, you’re thinking about all this stuff, and I talked with Coach [James] Franklin about this before the season; when you’re thinking about all that stuff, it can cloud your mind, and you’re not just playing football,” Jacobs said.

“I play football like that little kid that just joined and just got his helmet. So I just want to take it one game at a time.”

Jacobs has 47 tackles (5.5 for loss), two sacks, and an interception this season. He has twice landed on the All-Big Ten honorable mention list over his three seasons in State College. The decision to stay for a fourth year or leave will be made in the days following “The Grandaddy of Them All”.

“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time,” Jacobs said. “Just trying to stay focused on the main task and I still got some people to talk to.

“It’s mainly going to come down to talks with my family. I still want to have a real in-depth up talk with my parents and get that figured out.”

Issac will take a similar approach to his stay at Penn State or leave decision

Isaac has 23 tackles (nine for loss) and four sacks this season. He returned to the field in 2022 after missing all of last season due to a torn Achilles tendon. The New York native was an All-Big Ten third team pick following the regular season.

“Once the Rose Bowl concludes, I’ll probably have a much stronger answer for you guys,” Isaac said. “But, right now, it’s more of, I’m just trying to lock in on this game, one more time with the seniors, and the guys that are here on the team now.”

What factors will he weigh when making the choice?

“Just family, just the pros and cons of it, [and] everything that comes with it: How I feel about it, [and] just all the important factors that come down to it,” Isaac said.

Five Penn State players have already said they will move onto the pros after the Rose Bowl. That list includes corner Joey Porter Jr., receiver Parker Washington, defensive end Nick Tarburton, tight end Brenton Strange, and center Juice Scruggs. Whether or not Isaac and Jacobs join them will be announced in the days ahead.

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