Penn State specialist Jordan Stout is leaving for the NFL; who will battle for his jobs in 2022?
Penn State lost special teams coordinator Joe Lorig on Monday and announced Stacy Collins as his replacement on Tuesday.
Collins’ first task at his first Big Ten job? Replacing one of the most productive specialists in Nittany Lions history.
Jordan Stout is leaving for the 2022 NFL Draft, he announced on Tuesday. Seven Penn State starters from the 2021 season have now made that choice. Stout is joined by end Arnold Ebiketie, linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks, receiver Jahan Dotson, end/linebacker Jesse Luketa, and tackle Rasheed Walker.
“Nittany Nation, the love, encouragement and continuous support you have shown me during my time at PSU has been unbelievable,” Stout wrote in a post announcing the news. “I can’t think of a better fan base in all of college football. I wish I could personally thank each and every person who has supported me along the way.
“To my friends, girlfriend and family (especially my parents), you all are my “why” and you are the reason. I go to work each and every day. You all give me the motivation to go in and put 1000% of my effort into being the best player and person I can be. For that I thank you. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2022 NFL draft. Thank you to everyone that has been a part of this journey!”
Stout was Penn State’s first big transfer portal get. He left Virginia Tech after the 2018 season and spent the next three in State College. Stout was the Big Ten punter of the year in 2021 and a first-team All-Big Ten selection. He handled punts, kickoffs, and field goals during his final season.
How will Penn State replace Stout?
It will not be easy to fill the gaping holes left by the do-everything specialist. But, the cupboard is not completely bare for Collins.
In the kicking department, Jake Pinegar and Sander Sahaydak figure to battle it out for the starting field goal and kickoff jobs. Previously, Pinegar and Stout split short and long field goals, respectively. However, Pinegar was hurt during camp and Stout handled almost everything in 2021 until giving way to Pinegar for the final extra point at Michigan State and then for all placement kicks in the Outback Bowl. He made and missed a pair of tries in the 24-10 loss to Arkansas.
“We made that change to take some off of Stout’s plate,” Penn State coach James Franklin said on New Year’s Day.
“Stout had punted and kicked off really well all year long. We were a little inconsistent with the field goal game. So we made that change at the end of the season so that was consistent.”
Other kickers on the roster include Rafael Checa, Vlad Hilling, and Mitchell Groh. Pinegar and Sahaydak are the only two scholarship options, however.
As for the punting game, Bradley King, Barney Armor, and Gabriel Nwosu all have eligibility left. King was a first-team punter at Lackawanna while Armor experienced game action while at Colgate. All are walk-ons, and will be tested by Class of 2022 signee Alex Bacchetta for the first-team job. Kohl’s Kicking ranked the Georgia native as the top punter in the senior cycle.
There is one thing to note for whoever becomes the punter: Multi-year starting longsnapper Chris Stoll will also be back in 2022.
Could Bacchetta do it all?
It’s unlikely. Asking a first-year player to handle multiple responsibilities is a tall order, even for a specialist. But, before he left, Lorig had high praise for Bacchetta, who went to the same high school as Blake Gillikin. Bacchetta also handled kickoffs in high school.
“I don’t want to put too much on his plate,” Lorig said. “I’m not saying he is Jordan Stout, but very similar in that he has multiple skill sets. He’s very talented, and very mature, and I’m excited.”
