All Hogs

Two All-Americans, Two All-Big Ten Could Leave Penn State too Short

Three defensive stars and Penn State's version of Treylon Burks leave Nittany Lions short-handed with possibly more opt-outs to come

Kent Smith

The guys over in Vegas who set the odds must be pulling out what’s left of their hair this bowl season.

Penn State opened as the favorite to win over Arkansas at the Outback Bowl in Tampa this weekend, but an epic shift in available players for the two teams has swung things in favor of the Hogs.

JAQUAN BRISKER
JAQUAN BRISKER

The Nittany Lions, who were already without All-Big Ten second team linebacker Ellis Brooks and All-Big Ten third team linebacker Brandon Smith, found out yesterday the defense would take an even bigger hit when All-American safety Jaquan Brisker opted to prepare for the NFL draft.

However, the biggest hit to Penn State's odds of winning came when All-American wide receiver Jahan Dotson declared he will opt out also. 

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Turn on any Penn State highlight reel and it will look you're watching Dotson's personal Hudl video.

The speedy receiver finished the year with 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Dotson set single-game record for receiving when he racked up 242  against Maryland. He also had four 100-yard games in addition to the Maryland game, showing up big in big games: Wisconsin (102), Villanova (117), Ohio State (127) and Michigan State (137).

He also is second all-time for Penn State for 100-yard receiving games with 10.

It's possible the Nittany Lions could lose more players before Saturday. 

If so, the boys in Vegas will be scrambling again.

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Kent Smith
KENT SMITH

Kent Smith has been in the world of media and film for nearly 30 years. From Nolan Richardson's final seasons, former Razorback quarterback Clint Stoerner trying to throw to anyone and anything in the blazing heat of Cowboys training camp in Wichita Falls, the first high school and college games after 9/11, to Troy Aikman's retirement and Alex Rodriguez's signing of his quarter billion dollar contract, Smith has been there to report on some of the region's biggest moments.