Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1332070
with 200 or more snaps. PFF also rates the Gaithersburg, Md., native as one of the most consistent defensive tackles in the Atlantic Coast Conference the past three seasons. With one season of eligi- bility left, Tangelo is expected to replace Antonio Shelton. OUTGOING TRANSFERS MICAH BOWENS A three-star quarter- back prospect in the Class of 2020, Bowens entered the portal after just one season at Penn State. The Las Vegas na- tive didn't see any game action as a true freshman. JUDGE CULPEPPER Culpepper an- nounced on Jan. 7 that he will finish his career at Toledo. As a redshirt sopho- more this past season, he appeared in all nine of Penn State's games but played sparingly, compiling 66 snaps over the course of the season and finishing with five tackles. He would likely have been the fourth defensive tackle in coach John Scott Jr.'s rotation next season. ANTONIO SHELTON A two-year starter at defensive tackle, Shelton confirmed in early January that he will finish his collegiate career at Florida. During his senior season at Penn State, he totaled 14 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also had two quarter- back hurries and a forced fumble. For his career, he totaled 51 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. Shelton's PFF grade for the 2020 season was among the Nittany Lions' best on the defensive side of the ball. He finished with a 75.3 overall grade, with marks of 73.8 against the run and 71.0 as a pass rusher. C.J. THORPE Thorpe announced via Twitter on Jan. 7 that he plans to leave. His decision wasn't a complete surprise, as he began the 2020 season as a starter at right guard, only to be replaced by Will Fries in week four. Thorpe didn't play in the Lions' final three games due to an in- jury. He spent four years at Penn State, mostly as an offensive lineman but with a stint at defensive tackle during the 2018 season. He is finishing out the upcoming semester at PSU so he can leave as a grad- uate transfer. He still has two seasons of eligibility remaining and plans to play de- fensive tackle at his new school. DEPARTING SENIORS WILL FRIES The veteran offensive line- man opted not to use his "free" season of eligibility and will instead train for the NFL Draft at the TEST Football Academy in New Jersey. Fries, who moved from tackle to guard midway through the sea- son, finished his final campaign as the Nittany Lions' highest-graded starting offensive lineman, according to PFF. He graded out at 73.5 for the season, with a 75.7 mark for his pass protection. MICHAL MENET A three-year starter at center and two-time team captain, Menet decided not to return in 2021 and is preparing for the draft at Exos in Pen- sacola, Fla. He told the Reading Eagle in January that he was disappointed to bow out with a 4-5 record in his final season but was eager to take part in the NFL Scouting Combine. He's projected as a third- to fifth-round pick. SHANE SIMMONS A former four-star recruit and Rivals250 prospect, Sim- mons suffered multiple injuries his first few years on campus and announced in December that he doesn't plan on re- turning. With Jayson Oweh out of ac- tion, Simmons started his last two games at Penn State. On Senior Day against Michigan State, he totaled seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. SHAKA TONEY As expected, Toney an- nounced in December that he won't be using an extra year of eligibility. During the 2020 season, he led the Lions with five sacks while also totaling 31 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. For his career, Toney finished with 115 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks. He is ex- pected to be an ideal linebacker in a 3-4 defense at the next level and is projected to be a third- or fourth-round selection. LAMONT WADE A two-year starter at safety, Wade announced on Jan. 14 that he will not be returning in 2021. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten choice as a senior. JAQUAN BRISKER A third-team All-Big Ten choice, Brisker could have left for the NFL after coming on strong toward the end of the 2020 season. Instead, he opted to use the extra year players have been granted. Brisker was rated the best safety in the Big Ten and third-best in the Power Five by Pro Football Focus after the 2020 season. According to PFF, Brisker missed only one tackle all year. TARIQ CASTRO-FIELDS The senior cor- nerback confirmed on Jan. 2 that he in- tends to use his extra season of eligibility. Castro-Fields played in nearly every game in 2018 and '19, but this past season he missed the Lions' last six games with an injury. Because of that, he finished with just 12 tackles. JAHAN DOTSON Penn State's offense re- ceived a major boost when Dotson an- nounced on Jan. 7 that he'll forgo the draft and return for his senior season. Dotson led PSU with 52 receptions for TACKLE ELIGIBLE Shelton has de- cided to use his extra year of eligi- bility at Florida after two seasons as a starter at de- fensive tackle for PSU. Photo cour- tesy of Penn State Athletics O U T G O I N G T R A N F E R S D E P A R T I N G S E N I O R S R E T U R N I N G P L A Y E R S