Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson opts out of Outback Bowl; how will Lions replace him?
Penn State is down another starter ahead of the Outback Bowl.
Star Nittany Lions receiver Jahan Dotson announced Monday that he will forego the postseason matchup with Arkansas to prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Dotson was splendid in 2021 for Penn State after opting to return for a final season in blue and white. He caught 91 passes for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. It earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors and also an Associated Press third-team All-American nod.
“It’s been nothing but special to wear the Blue &White these past four years,” Dotson wrote on Twitter. “I will forever be thankful for the love Happy Valley has shown me and the people it has brought into my life.
“To my teammates and coaches, I appreciate you for pushing me every single day and shaping me to be the man 1 am today. To my family, I love you guys more than you could ever imagine, this journey has been nothing short of amazing and I cannot wait to continue it with you by my side.”
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 left eligibility on the table to do so. Dotson did the same, as he could have returned for the free year offered by the NCAA because of the coronavirus pandemic. That was never likely, however. Penn State coach James Franklin also expected some roster attrition prior to the team traveling to Tampa, Fla., for a New Year’s Day matchup with the Razorbacks at Raymond James Stadium.
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“A lot of conversations going on right now; really has been since the last game at Michigan State obviously, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Franklin said at the team’s local bowl media day on Dec. 17.
“But as you see this across college football, this is going on, so we’ll see how it goes, but there still ongoing conversations.”
Linebacker Ellis Brooks has also opted out of the game, as has safety Jaquan Brisker.
Dotson was prolific throughout his final two seasons at Penn State. All told, he finished with 183 receptions for 2,757 yards and 25 touchdowns. He and Sean Clifford connected for the most touchdowns between a quarterback/receiver tandem in program history with 23.
How will Penn State replace Dotson at the Outback Bowl?
Both teams are now down their star receivers for the bowl game. While Dotson opted out Monday, Arkansas standout Treylon Burks announced his own plans to skip the bowl game and prepare for the draft back on Dec. 9.
Penn State still has starters Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert Smith at receiver to face Arkansas. Washington is expected to take Dotson’s leading role next season.
“I would just say I just want to be able to help this team as best I can,” Washington said.
“If that’s the case, I’ll be able to embrace that, but I just want to be able to help the team and I know we’ll be strong next year. I’m excited for that.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield have options when it comes to picking a new starter in addition to their rotation. The likely picks for first-team work are either veteran Cam Sullivan-Brown or second-year pass catcher Malick Meiga. It is also not out of the question to think that freshmen Liam Clifford or Harrison Wallace could see their first extended game action, as well.
