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TE at peace with decision

PSU football

UNIVERSITY PARK — Pat Freiermuth chuckled when asked by the media where the opting out rumors came from in early September.

The junior tight end’s reaction was a visible representation of how he has dealt with the situation and what his focus has always been about.

Freiermuth went on to explain that he had entirely no idea and was really not trying to get into it, mainly because the only important thing the All-American wanted get across was that his Nittany Lion career isn’t over.

“I have no idea how this started,” Freiermuth told the media via Zoom. “I think it could’ve been from a Grubhub driver or something like that, but I don’t know where it came from, and I’m not getting involved with it.”

Freiermuth, along with James Franklin, put his intentions to rest on the Big Ten Network on Sept. 16, shortly after the conference announced it would begin play in October.

“It was a great idea and an awesome experience,” Freiermuth said of announcing it on BTN. “Coach Franklin and I were talking about it, and at the time I was doing my maintenance work. He called me up saying, ‘I’m going on the Big Ten Network’ and asked me to come on the screen and just shoot all the noise out.”

Freiermuth admitted he contemplated leaving throughout the offseason — he’s rated one of the top tight ends in the country — but “deep down” he didn’t feel the timing was right.

“I made a commitment to Penn State that I come here to get my degree and play as long as I could,” Freiermuth said. “Last year I could’ve left and, who knows, maybe I could have been a potential day two draft pick. But at the end of the day I owe more to this community.”

Junior quarterback Will Levis is one of Freiermuth’s closest friends.

“It’s awesome to have him another season,” Levis said. “Ever since I committed, I’ve been in close contact with him, and his work ethic is second to none. How seriously he takes the game, how he really is just a good role model for everyone on the team and someone I can always count on, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Freiermuth has 15 touchdown receptions in two seasons.

“Score a touchdown in Beaver Stadium, that’s the first thing I want to do,” he said.

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