Former Penn State Receiver Irvin Charles Declares For 2022 NFL Draft
Former Nittany Lion and current Indiana University of Pennsylvania wide receiver Irvin Charles has declared for the NFL Draft, according to an announcement posted to his Twitter page on Sunday.
“I would like to thank Coach Franklin, Coach Gattis, and the rest of the Penn State coaching staff for their unconditional support,” Charles said in a statement. “To Happy Valley for welcoming me into Beaver Stadium and showing me what it means to be part of something bigger for myself. And for that, I will always be a Nittany Lion.”
A four-star recruit out of New Jersey, Charles committed to Penn State in July 2014. Despite appearing in 25 games over two seasons, Charles struggled to make a consistent impact for the Nittany Lion offense and recorded only three receptions.
Though his production may have been infrequent, it was not inconsequential. Penn State fans may remember Charles’ first career reception in week five of the 2016 season — an 80-yard catch-and-run for a timely score. The touchdown reignited the Nittany Lions’ offense against Minnesota, leading to a momentum swing that Penn State would carry through a nine-game win streak and the first Big Ten title under James Franklin.
In 2017, Charles was dismissed from the team prior to the Fiesta Bowl alongside linebacker Manny Bowen. A team spokesperson later confirmed it was due to an unspecified violation of team rules.
After sitting out the 2018 season, Charles transferred to IUP in 2019. It would take an additional two seasons for Charles to see the field for the Crimson Hawks, as he was deemed academically ineligible for the 2019 season and IUP canceled its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This season, Charles racked up 39 catches for 792 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Charles is now the second Nittany Lion receiver — past or present — to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. He joins Jahan Dotson, who’s projected as a first or second-round pick.
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