Penn State DL Chop Robinson to Opt Out of Peach Bowl vs. Ole Miss Rebels

The Ole Miss Rebels will not face a vital part of the Nittany Lions' defensive line in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30.

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Chop Robinson declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Tuesday, and he will also not be suiting up when his team faces the Ole Miss Rebels in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 30.

Robinson announced his decision on social media, and he expressed his gratitude to Penn State for his productive college career.

"To the Penn State fans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for accepting me with open arms and making these past two years the best years of my life," Robinson wrote. "I will always cherish our time together and your unwavering support through the many ups and downs is something I will be eternally grateful for."

Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) celebrates after sacking Massachusetts quarterback Taisun Phommachanh in the first half of a NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won, 63-0 :: © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Robinson played linebacker with the Maryland Terrapins before becoming a defensive end at Penn State. He is projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and has received high praise in this draft class by multiple outlets, including ESPN.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin stated at the Peach Bowl introductory press conference this week that he does not anticipate any Rebels players opting out of the bowl game, although news emerged on Monday that wide receiver Dayton Wade would forgo his final season of eligibility in Oxford and head for the NFL Draft this offseason.

Rebels Lane Kiffin Addresses Potential Opt-Outs For Peach Bowl

"We're kind of not in one of those years where we really have some first-rounders that are coming out and are concerned with injuries and so forth, so I would not anticipate that," Kiffin said.

Ole Miss and Penn State are scheduled to square off in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT, and the game will be televised on ESPN.