Penn State All-Americans Dotson, Brisker opt out of bowl game

ALTOONA, Pa. -- Jahan Dotson said his goal at Penn State was to become "legendary," and he did just that with a terrific career that has him mentioned as one of the best wide receivers in program history.

Dotson had very little left to play for in a bowl game. And so, he has decided not to play.

The star receiver announced Monday night that he will skip Saturday's Outback Bowl against Arkansas to prepare for the NFL draft, where he's widely considered to be a first-round pick.

"It's been nothing but special to wear the Blue & White these past four years. I will forever be thankful for the love Happy Valley has shown me and the people it has brought into my life," Dotson wrote.

"To my teammates and coaches, I appreciate you for pushing me every single and day shaping me to be the man I am today. ... To the best University and fans in the country, words cannot express how much I appreciate you guys."

Dotson caught 91 passes this season, six shy of the Penn State record set by Allen Robinson in 2013. Dotson had 1,182 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns. He was named third-team All-American by the AP.

 For his career, Dotson had 183 catches for 2,757 yards and 25 TDs.

Dotson became the fourth Penn State player to opt out of the bowl game, and second on Monday, joining safety Jaquan Brisker. Linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks previously opted out.

ORIGINAL BRISKER STORY

Jaquan Brisker came to Penn State from Lackawana Community College and turned himself into a first-team All-American. Now, to the surprise of no one, the safety's college career has come to an end prior to the Nittany Lions' upcoming appearance in the Outback Bowl.

Brisker announced Monday afternoon that he is opting out of the bowl game against Arkansas to prepare for the NFL draft, where he's projected to be a second-round pick.

You can read Brisker's lengthy goodbye letter below:

"I've been waiting for this all my life and I can't wait to see what the future holds," he wrote. 'I will always be a Nittany Lion!"

Brisker was named first-team All-American last season by Pro Football Focus, and this year he was a second-team AP All-American. He was Penn State's best defensive player this season and has been one of the best overall safeties in college football for two years.

Brisker is rated the No. 39 prospect for the draft by NFL Mock Draft Database.

LOTS OF CHANGES

So, to recap for Penn State's defense this bowl season:

* Coordinator Brent Pry left to become head coach at Virginia Tech. Co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter will call the plays for the Outback Bowl.

* Penn State hired Manny Diaz, former head coach at Miami, to be the new defensive coordinator.

* Linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks announced they are skipping the bowl game.

* Now Brisker is skipping the bowl game, meaning the Lions will be down three starters.

* It could be four defensive starters out if end Arnold Ebiketie decides to skip the game.

GIGER'S TAKE

These moves make perfect sense. There's zero reason for Brisker to play in this bowl game because of the injury risk. As a receiver, Dotson faced less risk of injury and could have broken Allen Robinson's record for catches in a season, but he's already a projected first-round pick and had nothing left to prove.

As I've written a few times now, any player who is projected to be picked in the first two or three rounds of the NFL draft would be wise to consider skipping any bowl game that's not a playoff contest. There's just too much money at stake, and an injury in a meaningless bowl game could end up costing that player millions of dollars.

That's especially true for a player such as Brisker -- a tough safety who has to put his body on the line on every play hitting offensive players and taking punishment himself. Brisker has had some issues throughout the season getting dinged up at times and missing some plays.

Dotson perhaps could have played and faced no injury concerns, but at this point and with millions of dollars at stake, it's just not worth it.