Penn State Football: Brisker Opts Out of Outback Bowl, Will Prepare for NFL Draft

Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker will not play for Penn State in the Outback Bowl against Arkansas on Saturday. The senior announced on Monday afternoon that he was opting out of the game to focus on his preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Brisker is the third Penn State player so far to opt out of playing in the Outback Bowl in favor of preparation for the NFL Draft.

“To my teammates, we built a bond that can never be broken,” Brisker said on Twitter. “Thank you for always pushing me to be better. It has been an honor to ‘take the field’ with you.”

Brisker — who has no remaining eligibility — returned for the 2021 season looking to improve his draft stock after breakout 2020 campaign. The Lackawanna College transfer did that and more in 2021 with a standout season that included 64 tackles (six for loss) over 12 games, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

The safety joins linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks as starters on Penn State’s defense that have opted out of the Outback Bowl in favor of their NFL futures. While there are no functional opportunities elsewhere directed toward NFL Draft preparation over the next week, not playing in the bowl game — a cap to Penn State’s 7-5 regular season — removes a not insignificant risk of injury playing in an ostensibly meaningless game.

It remains to be seen who might play in Brisker’s place but the Nittany Lions would likely lean on State College native Keaton Ellis opposite of returning safety Ji’Ayir Brown with a smattering of other options down the depth chart. Penn State could also play longtime secondary staple Jonathan Sutherland, although the senior might be used to help fill the void at linebacker following the opt outs of Smith and Ellis.