Penn State LB Ellis Brooks declares for NFL Draft, how will the Lions replace him in the Outback Bowl?
Penn State linebacker Ellis Brooks has made an announcement about his future.
The veteran Nittany Lions linebacker will opt-out of the Outback Bowl matchup with Arkansas to prepare for the NFL Draft. He announced the news on social media Monday evening.
“My experience here at Penn State is something that I will always be extremely grateful for. Growing up as a kid with a dream to come play football for Penn State, to having the actual opportunity to be a part of Linebacker U and this team is still a surreal feeling.
“After having multiple conversations with my family members and coaches, I have decided to forego the bowl game to focus on getting healthy, as it’s now time to chase my dream of playing at the highest level and officially declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.”
Brooks played parts of the 2021 season with a cast on his hand. It is reasonable to think his decision may have something to do with getting that injury cleaned up before all-star games and combine season all begin. Either way, he’s not the first Penn State linebacker to make this decision. Linebacker Brandon Smith was the first Nittany Lion to announce that he would not play in the bowl game and head to the draft. He, like Brooks, left eligibility on the table to do so. Yet, neither decision was a major surprise.
A Mechanicsville, Va., native, Brooks played the better part of three seasons for the Nittany Lions and came into his own as a middle linebacker in 2021. It was his best season in blue and white. This season, Brooks led the Lions with 100 tackles (53 solos) in addition to 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass breakup.
How will Penn State replace Brooks in the Outback Bowl?
Penn State will likely move Jesse Luketa back to the middle linebacker role he occupied prior to moving to defensive end before this season started. Remember that Luketa also played that role for a half against Ball State after Brooks was ejected for targeting in the second half of the Wisconsin win.
The Lions may want to play Luketa at end some, however. If so, it could bring Charlie Katshir in to man the middle for a spell. Penn State could also throw freshman Kobe King into the mix as it prepares for a 2022 season that likely won’t feature Brooks or Luketa. The problem there, though, is that if he plays in against the Razorbacks, he will forfeit the opportunity to redshirt. That’s because the Michigan native has already played in four games. A fifth would mean this year counts against his eligibility clock.
