Penn State kicker Jake Pinegar declares for 2023 NFL Draft
Penn State kicker Jake Pinegar has ended his time with the Lions following an 11-2 season and Rose Bowl victory. He announced on Saturday that he declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.
“The last five years at Penn State have been nothing short of spectacular,” Pinegar wrote. “Through the highs and the lows, I have learned so much and I wouldn’t want my path to be shaped any other way.
I would like to thank [James] Coach Franklin and every other coach and mentor at Penn State for their help shaping me into the person I am today. I would also like to thank my family and close friends for the unwavering support throughout my journey.
“With that being said, I think it is time for the next chapter in my I have decided to chase a childhood dream of mine of playing in the NFL.”
Tracking Pinegar’s Penn State career
The Ankeny, Iowa native has career numbers that might surprise some members of ‘Nittany Nation’ considering his up and down career in blue and white. He will leave the school second in career extra points with 181, fifth in field goals and field goal percentage (45 and 73.3, respectively), and third in all-time scoring with 311 career points. He is only the third Lion to ever top the 300-point mark in his career.
Pinegar came to Penn State in 2018. He was immediately the team’s starting placekicker and made 16 of 24 field goals. Six of the misses came between 40 and 49 yards. Pinegar’s role would later be reduced when Jordan Stout came to the Lions. He became the primary field goal kicker and kickoff specialist. But, instead of transferring, he bided his time and regained both starting roles in 2022, the former before the latter. He routinely boomed touchbacks throughout much of the regular season and connected on 12 of 16 field goal tries, including two from 50 yards or more.
“The Jake Pinegar thing, I just think is a great example, especially in 2022 with all the different things
going on and the transfer portal, and here is a guy who’s a starter, lost the starting job, handled it the
right way, and now is the starter again and doing extremely well, as recognized by the Big Ten,” head coach James Franklin said in November.
“He’s, I think, a great example for a lot of our guys.”
How will Penn State replace Pinegar?
The most immediate option is either two-time All-Ivy League pick and walk-on Alex Felkins or returner Sander Sahaydak. He will be entering his third year in the program. The Pa., native lost out on the field goal job in camp. And, he eventually gave way to Pinegar in the kickoff specialist role, as well.
“It was a very good competition as they rolled through camp,” special teams coordinator Stacy Collins said of the battle between the two in September.
First-year punter Alex Bacchetta could factor into the kickoff and field goal battles, as well. And, kickoff specialist Gabe Nwosu and walk-on kicker Mitchell Groh are both on the roster, as well.
