Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker will skip the Outback Bowl to prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft
Jaquan Brisker will not suit up for Penn State in the Outback Bowl.
The senior safety and Pro Football Focus All-American announced Monday that he will instead immediately begin preparing for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Brisker lifted his stock in the mind of pro scouts considerably by starting and thriving for the Nittany Lions in 2021. He had 64 tackles over 12 games (six for loss), two interceptions, five pass breakups, and a fumble recovery during the team’s 7-5 regular season schedule.
“To me teammates, we built a bond that can never be broken,” Brisker wrote on social media. “Thank you for always pushing me to be better. It has been an honor to “take the field” with you.”
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Linebacker Brandon Smith was the first Nittany Lion to announce that he would not play in the bowl game in favor of turning all attention to the next level. Smith could have returned. Brisker could not. He used the free year granted to all athletes by the NCAA to play a final season in blue and white. Lions linebacker Ellis Brooks has also opted out of the game to prep for the pros.
Brisker, who joined Penn State after two seasons at Lackawanna College in Scranton, made a tremendous rise during his time in State College. He has ample ball skills and is a sure tackler. He also played almost all of the 2021 season with an upper-body injury that was suffered during a 16-10 win at Wisconsin to start the season.
Over three seasons at Penn State, Brisker made 151 tackles and recorded five interceptions. He was also a captain for the 2021 Nittany Lions. Some NFL mock drafts think he could be a first-round pick. Pro Football Focus thinks he could land with former Nittany Lion Odafe Oweh and the Baltimore Ravens.
“The Ravens love versatile and athletic secondary defenders — and that’s Brisker,” PFF writes.
“He’s been consistent as can be, too, with overall grades of 82.0, 82.8 and 82.4 in his three seasons at Penn State.”
How will Penn State replace Brisker at the Outback Bowl?
Anthony Poindexter is the interim defensive coordinator for the Outback Bowl. He’s also the safeties coach, which means it will be up to him to decide who will lineup in Brisker’s spot.
Oft-used backup Jonathan Sutherland is an option. However, he could play SAM linebacker in Smith’s place.
If so, Keaton Ellis is the logical starter opposite Ji’Ayir Brown. It’s expected that freshman Jaylen Reed will see plenty of reps, too. Zakee Wheatley, who has played in just one game so far this season, could factor in as well.
The majority of the snaps will likely go to Ellis, though. He moved to safety after starting his Penn State career at corner and played more as the season continued this fall.
“He has a mentality that fits our safety personality and the way we play,” Brown said of Ellis. “He’s very physical. Coming from corner spot, you would think that he has a physicality problem, but no, he’s as physical as he as he can be. He’s fitting gaps, he’s tackling guys. He’s making plays on the ball. I believe he’s going to have a breakout season next year.”
