Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1488968
J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 31 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M with this senior class, showed that it's possible to go from a three-star prospect to a potential first-round NFL Draft pick in four years, even at a position at which PSU has never had a first-round pick before. The Nittany Lions' outgoing 2022 class did not make the College Football Playoff at any point in its tenure. However, over the past four sea- sons, it won 32 games, earned two New Year's Six bowl invitations and showed true freshman recruits like quarterback Drew Allar, running back Nicholas Sin- gleton, linebacker Abdul Carter, and so many others who are on campus now or will be arriving soon why Penn State is an enticing place to play college foot- ball. In the end, that is what this group will likely be remembered for. While it earned its share of victories, a big part of its legacy is bound up in the example it set for the players who will take over in the years to come. "Their leadership has been unbeliev- able all year long, the vets in that locker room," Franklin said following the vic- tory over Michigan State to conclude the regular season. "I thought the captains were unbelievable all year long. There was tremendous communication, their transparency was great, and they were aligned with the coaches. "I got really good feedback from them. That doesn't mean I always necessarily agreed with them, but it was good for me to hear their feedback so that I can make the best decisions for the organization. They were great, and those guys played well, and then they were thoughtful dur- ing the week with the things that they said to their teammates and things they said to our coaching staff. I'm proud of them to be able to get this type of win late in the season, and I think that's probably the biggest thing: We just kept getting better all year long." ■ The ascent of redshirt senior defensive end Nick Tarburton was integral to Penn State's defensive success during the 2022 regular season. A 12-game starter on assistant coach John Scott's defensive line, Tarburton answered any questions about his health and effectiveness after getting off to an injury-plagued start to his career. Now, he's poised to take the next step. On Dec. 18, Tarburton announced that he plans to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft. "My time here at Penn State has been nothing short of special," he said via Instagram. "Although it has never been easy, Penn State has shaped me into the man I am today." Tarburton redshirted in 2018, then sat out the following year and saw limited action in 2020. He played extensively in each of the past two campaigns and had a bonus year of eligibility at his disposal, meaning that he could have returned in 2023. Tarburton concluded the 2022 regular season by notching 2 pass breakups, a tackle, and a quarterback hurry in Penn State's 35-16 win over Michigan State. According to Pro Football Focus, his performance against the Spartans was his second-best against the run all year and was among his best games of the season as a tackler. That showing stood in contrast to his lowest-graded game of the regular season, which came in the Lions' season-opening victory at Purdue on Sept. 1. Tarburton's steady development over the course of the campaign proved criti- cal to the team's defensive performance. He was part of a three-man rotation at defensive end that also featured redshirt junior Adisa Isaac and sophomore Chop Robinson. Prior to the Rose Bowl, Tarburton had 18 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Tarburton thanked the coaching staff, his teammates and many others within the program in announcing that he plans to move on. "Thank you for taking a shot on a small town kid from Perkasie, Pennsylvania. What you all have done for me and my family is something I will always be in- debted to," he wrote. "I also want to thank all of the support staff and athletic trainers — you are all truly world class. "Finally, my brothers. I have formed relationships that will last a lifetime. We have made some pretty awesome memories over the years. Without you all, I wouldn't be in the position or be the person I am today. You guys are everything to me." — Nate Bauer Senior Nick Tarburton Declines Bonus Year, Will Enter NFL Draft Tarburton finished Penn State's regular season tied for fifth on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE