Penn State roster tracker update: Linebacker opts out and more news

The Penn State football program saw its first player declare for the 2021 NFL Draft last week.

Linebacker Brandon Smith said Friday that he would forego both the postseason and the rest of his eligibility to prepare for the pros.

“To my teammates, I want to thank you all for all the memories we’ve had, and I appreciate you all for believing in me while we battled on the field.,” Smith said. “You all are my brothers and I’m always a call or message away, To Coach Franklin and my coaches, thank you all for taking a chance on someone from Louisa, a small town in Virginia where almost nobody gets out and is given the opportunity to do what I have been able to do at Penn State. The past three years of my life have given me the opportunity better myself in many ways, on and off the football field. 

“With that being said, I am going to forgo my senior year and the bowl game and enter the 2022 NFL Draft. I will continue to work hard and do my best to represent my school and my family to the best of my ability on and off the field. 

Which players have entered the NCAA transfer portal? Has anyone joined the Lions from it? Who has made a decision about leaving for the NFL or staying? And what other additions and subtractions have been made to head coach James Franklin’s team?

Below, you’ll find updates on all of those categories and more as the offseason moves along. Sections will expand and condense as the schedule progresses from the bowl game to the beginning of the winter semester, spring practice, and so on.

Transfer portal losses

Here is the updated list:

–Dec. 13, 2021: Backup quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson has entered the portal. He quickly received an offer from Connecticut.

–Dec. 10, 2021: Rudolph announces on social media that he will continue his college football career at Massachusetts.

–Dec. 8, 2021: Former three-star offensive lineman Des Holmes enters the portal. It appeared that the Class of 2017 signee would be in line for a starting role this fall, but it never happened. That’s why he’s likely to play his final college season elsewhere.

–Dec. 2, 2021: Former four-star safety Enzo Jennings enters the portal. Hopes were high that the Michigan native would make an early impact for Penn State. Instead, he’s looking around after just two seasons in State College.

–Nov. 24, 2021: Safety Tyler Rudolph begins looking for a new college football home. The former four-star On3 Consensus recruit played in just four contests during the 2021 season.

Who is joining Penn State from the transfer portal?

This section will continue to be updated if and when any college football player decides to enter the program.

We will note that the Lions offered UNLV linebacker/end Jacoby Windmon on Dec. 6. He, however, picked Michigan State on Dec. 8.

Another offer went out to Cornell offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad. He has yet to make a decision.

Penn State seniors who must decide if they are staying or going

This section’s first update since we originally posted it is news from Sean Clifford. He will return for his sixth season in blue and white.

QB Sean Clifford – Clifford confirmed on Dec. 10 that he’ll be returning to Penn State for the 2022 season.

WR Norval Black — As of Dec. 14, Black was no longer listed on the Lions’ roster. He confirmed a few days later that he’s in the portal.

*WR Jahan Dotson

WR Cam Sullivan-Brown

OT Anthony Whigan

C Mike Miranda

*DE Arnold Ebiketie

*DE Jesse Luketa – Luketa said on Dec. 17 that he would play in the Outback Bowl but that he wasn’t ready to announce a decision about his future yet.

DT Fred Hansard

DT PJ Mustipher

LB Ellis Brooks – Brooks confirmed on Dec. 20 that he will forgo playing in the Outback Bowl and begin preparing for the NFL Draft.

S Ji’Ayir Brown – Brown will play in the Outback Bowl. He is not yet ready to announce whether he will return for the 2022 season or not, however.

S Jonathan Sutherland

*K Jordan Stout

A * means that Dotson, Ebiketie, Luketa, Brisker, and Stout have all accepted Senior Bowl invitations. They could still return, however, despite doing so.

Who is out of eligibility?

For Penn State, that list includes:

RB John Lovett

OG Eric Wilson

DT Derrick Tangelo

S Jaquan Brisker

CB Tariq Castro-Fields

Which Penn State underclassmen are leaving for the NFL Draft, and which are returning?

Smith became the first player to do so back on December 17.

Penn State positions that could be impacted by the portal

James Franklin identified the Lions’ possible needs last week.

“Whether it’s the second signing day or whether it’s the transfer portal, I think we have some interest depending on how some things play out,” Franklin said. “But I think we have a need on the offensive line. I think we would be interested in a wide receiver.
 
“And then if you talk about the defensive side of the ball, a defensive end, possibly a defensive tackle based on some things that could happen on our roster.”