PSU Football
News & Information
News—Dec. 8, 2025—Updated 12-29
List of Penn State Players Opting Out of Pinstripe Bowl
Names of players reportedly entering Transfer Portal are in blue
LINK TO PINSTRIPE BOWL PREVIEW
Zane Durant DT/2025 Team Captain—announced on social media Dec. 8 that he plans to focus on preps for the NFL Draft—He officially accepted a 2026 Senior Bowl invitation on Dec. 9
Zakee Wheatley S—announced on social media Dec. 10 that he plans to focus on preps for the NFL Draft—Officially accepted a 2026 Senior Bowl invitation on Dec. 15
Nick Singleton RB—it was reported by Rich Scarcella/Reading Eagle on Dec. 11 that Nick would skip bowl to prep for NFL Draft—cited Nick’s father as source—Officially accepted a 2026 Senior Bowl invitation on Dec. 16
Vega Ioane OG—announced Dec. 12 that he would forgo his final year of eligibility to turn pro and would skip bowl to prep for NFL Draft—has been selected to several All-America teams including Walter Camp (2nd team) & AP (2nd team)
Nick Dawkins C—announced Dec. 26, that he would opt out of the Pinstripe Bowl with plans to turn pro and enter the 2026 NFL Draft
Drew Shelton OT—announced Dec. 26, that he would opt out of the Pinstripe Bowl with plans to turn pro and enter the 2026 NFL Draft
Nolan Rucci OT—announced Dec. 26, that he would opt out of the Pinstripe Bowl with plans to turn pro and enter the 2026 NFL Draft
Khalil Dinkins TE—announced Dec. 26, that he would opt out of the Pinstripe Bowl with plans to turn pro and enter the 2026 NFL Draft
Kaytron Allen RB—Dec. 27, Allen was listed as Questionable on the Pinstripe Bowl Availability Report just one day after Terry Smith said he would dress and play in the game—Allen was dressed for pre-game warmups but did not play in the game—Allen is expected to make himself available for the 2026 NFL Draft—Allen’s decision meant that Penn State would play the Pinstripe Bowl without both of its starting RBs and 4 of its 5 starting offensive linemen
Zuriah Fisher DE—Revealed on Dec. 23 that he had not travelled with PSU team on Dec. 22 to NYC for Pinstripe Bowl—6th year Senior who started 11 games in 2025 after missing all of 2024 & first game of 2025 with injury—He collected 2 sacks and had 1 forced fumble in his final season at Penn State—Might be available in the 2026 NFL Draft, however Lions247 has suggested he could seek a 7th year of eligibility elsewhere due to his injury issues at PSU—Removed from roster as of Dec. 24 unlike the other NFL-bound bowl opt outs—After bowl game, media reports say that Fisher will enter portal and seek NCAA waiver for additional season
Elliot Washington II CB—On3 reported Dec. 11 that Washington would enter Transfer Portal when window opens Jan. 2—he is a Junior with 1 year of eligibility remaining—He will miss the bowl game—Removed from roster
Chaz Coleman DE—revealed on social media Dec. 18 that he was entering Transfer Portal when it opens Jan. 2—he is a true Freshman with 3 years of eligibility remaining—He will miss the bowl game—Removed from roster
Alex Birchmeier OL—revealed on social media Dec. 19 that he would enter the Transfer Portal when it opens Jan. 2—He saw limited action over 3 seasons at PSU (mostly on special teams) and has 2 years of eligibility remaining—He will miss the bowl game—Removed from roster
AJ Harris CB—Dec. 22, Harris’ bio/stats removed from PSU roster ahead of the Pinstripe Bowl—Various media reports that he will enter Transfer Portal on Jan. 2 (but can also turn pro)—He reportedly has 1 year of eligibility remaining—He will obviously miss the bowl—Harris was projected as a potentially high NFL Draft pick entering the 2025 season, but he struggled to live up to the expectations—Removed from roster
Kari Jackson LB—Dec. 23, announced on social media he would enter Transfer Portal on Jan. 2—Redshirt Freshman who has dealt with injuries and has no stats—Should have 3 years of eligibility remaining—Removed from roster
Aaron Enterline WR—Dec. 23, the walk-on who saw limited action in 2025 announced on social media that he was “looking for a new home” and would enter the Transfer Portal on Jan. 2—The Redshirt Freshman has 3 years of eligibility remaining—removed from roster Dec. 26
Daniel Jennings DE—Dec. 24, true Freshman Jennings is reported by Lions247 to be no longer with the team and is likely headed for the Jan. 2 Transfer Portal—He would have 4 full years of eligibility—Jennings, who was rated the #1 player from West Virginia, signed with PSU on May 20 after re-classifying from the recruiting class of 2026 to 2025—Still appears on roster as of Dec. 27 and status for bowl is uncertain
Keon Wylie LB—Dec. 29, reportedly headed for Jan. 2 Transfer Portal with 2 years of eligibility remaining—Spent 3 seasons at PSU in largely a backup role—missed 2024 season with injury—He played in the Pinstripe Bowl
Anthony Ivey WR—Dec. 29, reportedly headed for Jan. 2 Transfer Portal with 1 year of eligibility remaining—He played in Pinstripe Bowl on special teams—Had 1 reception in his 3 seasons with the Nittany Lions
Joey Schlaffer TE—reportedly left team on Nov. 5 after playing only 7 snaps over the first few games of the season and is expected to enter the Transfer Portal on Jan. 2—He reportedly has 2 years of eligibility remaining—He will obviously miss the bowl game—Removed from roster in early Nov.
Dec. 18—Terry Smith appears to leave the door open for players who plan to enter portal to play in the Pinstripe Bowl—But the names of 8 players reportedly portal-bound have been removed from the PSU roster as of Dec. 27
