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By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
Players across the country are opting out of bowl games left and right, but the status of a handful of Penn State players remains up in the air.
The Nittany Lions held their Outback Bowl media day, virtually, on Friday, and James Franklin did not confirm roster changes.
"It's still a moving target" with "a lot of conversations," he said. "We'll see how it plays out. You're seeing it across college football."
Most of Penn State's players who apparently are deciding whether to play against Arkansas on Jan. 1 and/or return for the 2022 season were not made available Friday.
Franklin was asked directly if standout receiver Jahan Dotson has resolved his status, an inquiry he deflected.
"As you know over eight years, I'm not going to disclose a player's situation, whether it's injury, whether it's NFL, whatever it may be," Franklin said. "We're going to work with the student-athletes and guys that are announcing they're coming back or are entering the NFL draft or whatever it may be. For eight years, I've left that up to the student-athletes, and that process isn't going to change."
Others mulling decisions include safety Jaquan Brisker, defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo, offensive tackle Rasheed Walker and linebacker Ellis Brooks.
Linebacker Brandon Smith announced on Twitter late Friday afternoon that he's entering the NFL Draft and not playing against Arkansas. Smith finished second on the team in tackles with 81 behind Brooks' 100 stops.
Linebacker Jesse Luketa did tell the media Friday he'll be playing in the Outback Bowl but hasn't decided on 2022.
Franklin said quarterback Sean Clifford's decision to return for next season, announced last week, "helped," and added, "hopefully a few more" will follow.
Clifford said he'll support Dotson regardless. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett and Michigan State tailback Kenneth Walker opted out of the Peach Bowl earlier this week, and Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks did the same.
"That's obviously a decision Jahan has to make for himself," Clifford said. "Whatever he decides, I'm happy for him."
On the subject of receivers, Franklin did say about KeAndre Lambert-Smith, the team's third-leading receiver behind Dotson and Parker Washington, "We need him to take the next step."
Franklin said safeties coach Anthony Poindexter will call the defensive signals against Arkansas after former defensive coordinator Brent Pry left to become the head coach at Virginia Tech.
Manny Diaz, Miami's head coach for the last three seasons, is Penn State's new DC and has arrived in State College but will only be observing through the bowl game.
The Lions will travel to Tampa on Christmas night.