Penn State football will be without yet another defensive star in the Outback Bowl.

Standout safety Jaquan Brisker announced on Monday he’ll forgo the game as he begins preparations for the 2022 NFL Draft.

“I’ve been waiting for this all my life, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Brisker said in a statement. “I will always be a Nittany Lion!”

Brisker has burst onto the scene as a defensive stalwart for the Nittany Lions over the past three seasons. The Pittsburgh native transferred to Penn State from Lackawanna College of the 2019 season and quickly added value by making 32 total tackles and a pair of interceptions. Brisker continued to contribute in 2020 and became one of the top safeties in the nation this past fall.

After putting up 63 tackles and two picks as a senior in 2021, Brisker is starting to get attention as a possible first-round draft pick in April. Arguably his top play of this past season was a clutch interception that came late in Penn State’s season-opening victory over Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium.

Brisker now leaves Happy Valley with an impressive 152 total tackles — seven for loss — five interceptions, and 19 pass deflections. Of the course of his time at Lackawanna, the safety made 119 tackles and four picks in just two seasons played. He leaves college football with an AP second-team All-American honors.

So far, Penn State has lost defensive talent in starting linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks, who both said they’re skipping the Outback Bowl to prepare for the upcoming draft. Defensive backs Ji’Ayir Brown, Joey Porter Jr., and Jonathan Sutherland each said they’re sticking around for at least another season.