Penn State football cornerback Johnny Dixon did not travel with the Nittany Lions to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl, James Franklin announced Friday. With his absence, Dixon is not expected to play in the Peach Bowl.

Dixon, a senior expected to go to the NFL, has not yet declared for the NFL Draft. He was a key component of Penn State’s secondary this season, starting in all 12 games and making 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and one interception.

Should he go to the NFL Draft, Dixon would likely be the third Penn State cornerback to do so this year. Daequan Hardy has already announced his intentions to go pro while Kalen King is expected to do the same. With Dixon absent and King and Hardy likely on limited snap counts, the Nittany Lions will have to turn to younger players to hold down much of the secondary.

If he misses the game, Dixon would be the second Penn Stater to opt out of the Peach Bowl. Fellow transfer Chop Robinson announced his intentions to miss the game for NFL Draft preparation in early December.