As I'm sure all of you are aware, the college football season (and by extension, bowl season) is not officially over yet. Oregon and Ohio State are playing for the National Championship on Monday, January 12th. However, the Associated Press has already named its All-Bowl team for this season, featuring one Nittany Lion with a flair for the dramatic.
Junior tight end Jesse James will forgo his senior season to enter the 2015 NFL Draft, joining offensive tackle Donovan Smith and defensive end Deion Barnes as the other Nittany Lions to forfeit a final year of eligibility to enter the professional ranks.
Two of Penn State's most outstanding offensive linemen will be given a chance to showcase their skillsets and boost their NFL Draft stock in two of the most distinguished collegiate all-star contests in the months leading up to the draft. Smith has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, while Dieffenbach was added to the East-West Shrine Game roster.
Jan. 2 marks the 20th anniversary of Penn State’s win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl, a bittersweet victory for a team with championship aspirations. Following the inaugural College Football Playoff, it might be the last time Penn State is snubbed of a chance to play for the title.
After a brilliant first season at Penn State, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop is among the top three candidates for the same position at LSU.
A second Penn State player announced that he will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Defensive end Deion Barnes, a redshirt junior who graduated in December, will not be returning to Penn State following a season in which he earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention.