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draft. Also leaving a year early is defen- sive end Garrett Sickels. The 6-4, 260-pounder was a two-year starter who posted career-highs in tack- les (47), sacks (six) and tackles for loss (12.5) as a redshirt junior. Against Ohio State, he showed his potential to take over a game, finishing with nine tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss despite sitting out the first half due to a suspen- sion. But prior to his announcement, there had been little speculation about Sickels leaving early. "Garrett has been an impact player on this team and a leader for us on the de- fensive front," Franklin said. "He has been a positive influence on his team- mates on and off the field, guiding a young defensive line and serving as the president of Uplifting Athletes. We wish him nothing but success in the NFL." According to CBSSports, Sickels is the 16th-rated defensive end and a potential fourth- or fifth-round pick. His loss leaves defensive line coach Sean Spencer with another hole to fill up front, as the team's other starting end, Evan Schwan, has exhausted his eligibility. But the de- fensive coaching staff did get some good news when free safety Marcus Allen and inside linebacker Jason Cabinda an- nounced they were staying for the 2017 season. Cabinda, who ranked third on the team in tackles with 81 despite missing five games due to a wrist injury, said a few days before the Rose Bowl that he was planning to complete his eligibility. He said he wants to make sure that he leaves Penn State with his degree, and he is also eager to play one more college season. "I love playing here and I love this place to death," Cabinda said. "I'm really excited to be able to come back." Allen's return was thought to be less certain. A fixture in the secondary for the past three seasons, he has started 33 of the Lions' past 34 games, missing only the Army game in 2015 with an in- jury. He ranked third in the Big Ten with 110 tackles this past season, and at 6-2, 202 pounds, he is considered to be one of the better safety prospects in the country. His run support has been a critical component of Penn State's de- fense since 2014. But even after receiving feedback from the NFL that he described as "largely positive and very persuasive," Allen opted to return for one more season with the Nittany Lions. "The NFL will be there next year and I trust that God will prepare and deliver me wiser, stronger, and healthy to meet that challenge," he explained via Twit- ter. "I never in a million years would've thought I would even be in a position to make a decision like this and I'm very humbled by all of the success and bless- ings I have received thus far. I'm truly living a dream!!" In addition to Godwin and Sickels, two graduating seniors are listed among the top 25 prospects at their respective posi- tions by CBSSports. Brandon Bell is 24th at outside linebacker and is seen as a po- tential seventh-rounder or free agent signee, while Brian Gaia is rated 19th at center but is not listed as a potential draftee. Schwan is 32nd at defensive end. The 2017 NFL Draft is set to take place April 27-29 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. ■ 2 0 1 6 S E A S O N B Y N A T E B A U E R 2 OHIO STATE at PENN STATE Oct. 22, 2016 Locked in man coverage against Buck- eyes cornerback Gareon Conley, Godwin simply rode the hand battle up the side- line and into the end zone. Leaping at the last possible second, he hauled in the perfectly thrown ball from Trace McSor- ley for a 20-yard touchdown. The score came with only nine seconds to play in the first half and reduced Penn State's halftime deficit to a manageable five points. The rest is history. 3 MICHIGAN STATE at PENN STATE Nov. 26, 2016 One word sums this one up best: "Whoops." Using a double-move on the outside, Godwin drew Michigan State defensive back Montae Nicholson into no-man's land early in the third quarter. Nicholson sat on the route, only to flail wildly as Godwin broke into the clear at the 20-yard line. The 34-yard touch- down completion gave the Nittany Lions a lead they wouldn't relinquish en route to a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game. 4 MINNESOTA at PENN STATE Oct. 1, 2016 There are three plays that most people remember from this game: Irvin Charles' 80-yard touchdown catch early in the second half, McSorley's mad-dash scramble to set up the tying field goal at the end of regulation and Saquon Barkley's 25-yard touchdown carry on the Lions' first play from scrimmage in overtime. Allow us to suggest a fourth: With less than a minute to play in regu- lation and absolutely nothing working on first and second down, McSorley backpedaled and flung a desperate pass to his go-to guy, Godwin, on third-and- 10. The junior wideout found a hole in the coverage and lunged to make a 20- yard reception, setting the comeback wheels in motion. 5 PENN STATE at INDIANA Nov. 12, 2016 This one was important. Trailing Indi- ana by 10 points late in the third quarter, the Nittany Lions appeared to be on the ropes. But Godwin's 21-yard touchdown catch reversed the momentum. Com- pletely in sync with McSorley for the duration of his route, Godwin beat Indi- ana cornerback Will Dawkins, doing a complete 360 degree turn while leaping to make the grab. ■

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