Penn State makes four-star quarterback's top-10; Lions arrive in Tampa for Outback Bowl: Newsstand

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel12/27/21

GregPickel

Penn State is one step closer to finishing its 2021 season in Tampa, Fla.

The Lions have started preparations in the Sunshine State for their New Year’s Day meeting with Arkansas in the Outback Bowl. They also received fine news on the recruiting front over the weekend.

Those stories headline today’s newsstand, but there is plenty of other Penn State and college football news to know on Dec. 27.

Let’s dive into the top tweets and headlines for the final Monday of the year.

Penn State tweets of the day

We start with the fact that the Lions’ charter plans put wheels down at Tampa International Airport around 8 p.m. ET back on Saturday. The team held its first practice of the week on Sunday and is off today. That means, of course, the program is following its typical game week schedule.

It should come as no surprise, as head coach James Franklin has always operated this way for a Saturday bowl game.

Moving onto the recruiting front, four-star Pittsburg, Calif. quarterback Jaden Rashada put Penn State in his top-10 on Saturday.

The Lions are currently the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine favorite at this early stage. The 6-foot-4, 173-pound Class of 2023 passer is the nation’s No. 5 player at his position according to the On3 Consensus recruiting rankings.

Besides the Lions, Rashada also included UCLA, Arkansas, Oregon State, Washington, Oregon, Auburn, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Arizona State in his top-10.

Finally, for this section, is news on a pair of roster updates.

Penn State corner Joey Porter Jr.., announced Saturday that he would return for the 2022 season. It’s a big boost for the Lions’ secondary.

Before that, back on Friday, PSU also picked up a transfer portal commitment from now-former Western Kentucky receiver Mitchell Tinsley.

Details on Blue-White Illustrated’s $1 for 1 year signup promotion.

Headlines of the day

Assuming Jahan Dotson leaves, what’s that mean for Penn State?: Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With Mitchell Tinsley on board, how will Penn State wideouts take shape?: Pickel, BWI

Joey Porter Jr. announces decision to return next season for Penn State: Lambert, The Daily Collegian

Penn State Recruiting: Class of 2023 wish list on offense: Snyder, BWI

‘Nobody Really Blinked’ James Franklin says of 2022 recruiting class: Wogenrich, SI

PSU Recruiting: Class of 2023 wish list on defense: Snyder, BWI

Penn State football adds transfer WR Mitchell Tinsley after big junior season: CDT

Penn State assistant recruiting coordinator Alan Zemaitis shares unique thoughts about 3 Lions signees: Pickel, BWI

Quote of the day

“At this time in my life, staying in college and completing my college degree is important to me and my family. After much prayer, and discussion with my parents, I have decided to return to Penn State University.

“This decision was not easy to make. Playing in the NFL has been my lifelong goal and dream, but right now I think it’s important for me to finish what I started alongside my brothers and coaches at Penn State.”

–PSU corner Joey Porter Jr., in a statement posted to social media that announced his return to the Lions for the 2022 season.

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