Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1439730
J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 2 11 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Sent to the sideline with an unspeci- fied injury, he wouldn't return to the game, and Penn State managed only a field goal the rest of the way, dropping a 23-20 decision at Kinnick Stadium. To that point in the season, Clifford had completed 118 of 178 pass attempts for 1,482 yards and 11 touchdowns against five interceptions, earning Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors following a 401-yard passing performance in a Week 4 victory over Villanova. But the injury at Iowa was a turning point for Clifford and Penn State. The Nittany Lions next dropped consecu- tive games to Illinois and Ohio State then split their last four, with victories over Maryland and Rutgers and losses to Michigan and Michigan State. Still, the potential that the Nittany Lions' offense showed at the season's outset proved enticing as Clifford was mulling whether to come back and work James Franklin insisted his policy would remain the same. Asked by a veteran reporter about the sta- tus of senior receiver Jahan Dotson ahead of the Outback Bowl, the Nittany Lions' coach provided a veteran response. In line with his eight seasons in charge of the program, Franklin said he wouldn't be the one to de- liver personnel news. "You guys are going to ask me questions, and I get it, that's your job, that's part of it," Franklin said. "I'm not going to disclose a player 's situation, whether it's injury, whether it's NFL, whatever it may be." December was a month filled with op- portunities for Franklin to put that protocol to the test. In an already hectic surge immediately fol- lowing the conclusion of the regular season in November, new rules have thrown a bomb into the mix. The introduction of the NCAA transfer portal and the immediate eligibility that comes with a one-time transfer, com- bined with the NCAA's decision to provide all 2020 season participants with a bonus year of eligibility, have shifted the landscape dramatically. In December, that meant four Nittany Lions announced their entrances into the portal. Another confirmed an early departure for the NFL. Three starters with an available bonus year of eligibility announced their returns for the 2022 season. In addition, transfer receiver Mitchell Tinsley, a stand- out at Western Kentucky, became Penn State's first addition of the cycle. Many more decisions remain, into and out of the program, and some play- ers could choose to stay for an extra year. Among the incoming players, Tinsley is so far the only addition to the team. But at a position the Nittany Lions prioritized and coveted given their needs for both experience and talent, the fifth-year performer fully fits the bill. Spending the past two seasons with the Hilltoppers, Tinsley collected 43 receptions for 377 yards and four touchdowns in 2020, then far surpassed it with a standout 2021 campaign. On 87 catches, Tinsley racked up 1,402 yards and 14 scores through the air for a dynamic Western Kentucky offense. Tinsley's presence is intended to blunt the impact of Dotson's ascent into the NFL. Leading the Nittany Lions with 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns, Dotson was complemented by sophomores Parker Washington (57 catches for 722 yards and four touchdowns) and KeAndre Lambert-Smith (31 receptions for 447 yards and two scores). Dotson isn't the only outsized performer the Nittany Lions will need to replace. Particularly within the linebacker ranks, Penn State has big shoes to fill with fifth-year senior starter Ellis Brooks skipping the bonus year of eligibility in favor of an NFL career. A constant presence on Penn State's defense – he finished his career with 47 games played – Brooks was at his best in 2021. Starting every game for the Nittany Lions at the Mike linebacker position, he collected a team-high 100 tackles on the year. A close second to Brooks on the stat page, junior linebacker Brandon Smith also an- nounced his departure from the unit on Dec. 17. The team's second-leading tackler (81 stops, including 9.0 for loss and 2.0 sacks with five passes broken up, three quarterback hur- ries and a forced fumble), Smith played more snaps than any other Nittany Lion defender this season; he was on the field more than 85 percent of the time. Offsetting some of the notable losses, and departures impacting depth and develop- ment, the Nittany Lions have seen several key players announce plans to return. Fifth-year senior quarterback Sean Clifford headlines the list, and he has plenty of company. Senior safety Ji'Ayir Brown followed through on his choice to not be rec- ognized during the team's senior day ceremony before the Rutgers game. A breakout performer starting alongside Jaquan Brisker, Brown finished third on the team in tackles with 67 and led the Nittany Lions in interceptions with four to go along with five passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Soon after in December, Brown was joined by fellow safety Jonathan Suther- land, who will also return for a bonus season. A three-time captain with the Nittany Lions on special teams, Sutherland notched 19 tackles, a pass breakup and an interception during a 2021 campaign that was hindered by an injury. Of the players who exited via the transfer portal as of late December, all were limited in production during their careers with the Nittany Lions. That list includes senior receiver Norval Black, redshirt sophomore quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson, fifth-year senior offensive guard Des Holmes, redshirt freshman safety Enzo Jennings and redshirt junior safety Tyler Rudolph. Still unresolved as of Dec. 28 was whether senior defensive end Jesse Luketa and senior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher will return for bonus eligibility or move on to the NFL. — Nate Bauer Safety Ji'Ayir Brown was the first to announce that he would return next fall. He finished third on the defense with 67 tackles and led the way with four interceptions this season. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL Early Offseason Movement Brings Good News, Bad News To Nittany Lions