PSU Football
News & Information
News—Dec. 23, 2025—Updated 12-30
Zuriah Fisher Does Not Travel with Team to Pinstripe Bowl
Deion Barnes Leaving for South Carolina
Penn State starting defensive end Zuriah Fisher is not with the team in New York City for Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl vs. Clemson. Fisher had started 11 of the Nittany Lions 12 games in the 2025 regular season recording 2 sacks and a forced fumble. Prior to this season, Fisher had not played since the 2023 Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss when he delivered Penn State’s lone sack. He suffered a “significant injury” in 2024 Spring practice and missed the entire ‘24 season.
Fisher, a 6th year Senior, is the 5th player to effectively “opt out” of the bowl game and he is expected to be available for the 2026 NFL Draft next April. However, Lions247 has suggested that Fisher could seek a 7th year of eligibility at another school due to his injury track record at PSU. Fisher’s name & bio have been removed from the PSU roster as of Dec. 24 which is unlike the other bowl “opt outs”. After Pinstripe Bowl, it was announced that Fisher will enter the portal and seek an NCAA waiver for an additional season elsewhere.—NOTE: transferred to USC
Also, Redshirt Freshman LB Kari Jackson announced on social media that he will enter Transfer Portal on Jan. 2 as will Redshirt Freshman walk-on WR Aaron Enterline and true Freshman DE Daniel Jennings. Jackson, Enterline & Jennings are the 6th. 7th & 8th PSU players expected to enter the portal. So far, only Jackson’s & Enterline’s names & bios have been removed from the PSU roster.
And ESPN is reporting that Deion Barnes OL Coach will be joining Stan Drayton RB Coach at South Carolina after the bowl. Barnes will become the Gamecocks DE/OLB Coach. This is a surprise, of sorts, as many expected Barnes would remain with Matt Campbell’s new staff for 2026. Barnes is a former PSU player who had been on the coaching staff under James Franklin since 2020. Barnes had worked with Abdul Carter, Chop Robinson, etc.
