Dec. 15—STATE COLLEGE — Seven Penn State players who could opt out of the Peach Bowl said Friday they plan to play against Ole Miss on Dec. 30 in Atlanta.
Defensive end Adisa Isaac, tight ends Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, cornerback and punt returner Daequan Hardy, defensive tackle Dvon Ellies and center Hunter Nourzad all committed to playing in the bowl game.
“I’m a captain,” said Isaac, who ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks. “I feel like this was the best decision for me. I started with this team from the jump. It’s something we gotta finish. No matter if we didn’t go to the championship (College Football Playoff) or not, I feel like it’s deeper than that.
“It’s a brotherhood here. It wouldn’t sit right for me to just leave a team, leave my brothers like that.”
Left tackle Olu Fashanu, a consensus first-team All-American, was not as certain as Isaac and the others. Fashanu, who’s projected to be a top 10 NFL draft pick next spring, would not say whether he will play in the Peach Bowl or whether he will declare for the draft.
He said he will travel to Atlanta for the game.
“There are going to be a lot of factors,” Fashanu said. “I’m a captain. No matter what decision I make, I made a commitment to this team to the end of the season and the season’s still not over yet.
“If I’m being honest, I haven’t given it much thought (about the bowl game or the draft). I’m enjoying these moments with all my guys, just enjoying all my time here at Penn State.”
Johnson, who had another year of eligibility left, declared for the 2024 NFL draft last week. Jacobs declared for the draft later Friday. Nourzad has no eligibility remaining, Isaac, Warren, Hardy and Ellies said they have not yet decided whether they will return to Penn State or turn pro.
“I just want to finish things out right,” Jacobs said…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/seven-draft-eligible-penn-state-045000128.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2023-12-16 04:50:00
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