Penn State will be without a veteran leader on the defensive side of the ball when it faces Clemson on Dec. 27.
Nittany Lion safety Zakee Wheatley has opted out of the Pinstripe Bowl, he announced on X on Wednesday evening. Instead, he’ll focus on preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, joining defensive tackle Zane Durant as players who’ve opted out to pursue professional careers.
“I want to thank all of my coaches that invested in me and developed me into the man and player that I am today,” Wheatley wrote in the post. “I also want to thank Penn State and all the fans for the amazing support and memories! I could not have imagined a better collegiate career or experience anywhere in the country.”
The fifth-year developed into a vocal presence in the Nittany Lions’ secondary and was a bright spot on a defensive unit that underperformed expectations in 2025. He finished the season with 74 tackles and an interception and had 95 tackles and three picks a year ago.
Wheatley is projected as a consensus Day 2 pick in the draft, showcasing elite tackling skills and a ball-hawking ability throughout his tenure in Happy Valley. He had the option to turn pro last season, but opted to come back and continue to improve his stock.
