Penn State will be without another key piece of its offensive line when it takes the field at Yankee Stadium for the Pinstripe Bowl. Vega Ioane, a two-year starter and one of the Nittany Lions’ most consistent interior linemen, has officially opted out of the bowl game to begin preparations for the NFL Draft.
Ioane’s decision isn’t exactly a surprise. The redshirt junior started 32 games during his time in Happy Valley, including 27 straight across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
That kind of durability and production in the trenches has made him one of the top interior line prospects in this year’s draft class. While he still had eligibility remaining, the writing had been on the wall for some time-Ioane was ready to take the next step.
He now joins a growing list of Penn State players sitting out the bowl game, including seniors Nick Singleton, Zakee Wheatley, and Zane Durant. With the matchup against Clemson just around the corner, the expectation is that any additional opt-outs will be finalized by the end of the week. After that, the roster should be set for the trip to New York.
While the absences of seasoned starters will certainly be felt, the Pinstripe Bowl is shaping up to be more than just a postseason sendoff-it’s a proving ground. With several veterans stepping away, younger players and backups will get a real shot to show what they can do under the spotlight.
For some, it’s about earning a bigger role heading into spring ball. For others, it’s about putting some solid tape together before entering the transfer portal in January. Either way, there’s plenty on the line for those who suit up in the Bronx.
And that’s the silver lining here. Bowl games like this often serve as a sneak peek at what’s next. While fans may be disappointed not to see familiar names like Ioane anchoring the line, the opportunity for fresh faces to step up is invaluable-both for the players and the coaching staff evaluating them.
So while Penn State’s roster will look a little different against Clemson, the stakes remain high. Whether it’s about building momentum for 2026 or showcasing talent to future suitors, everyone on the field will have something to prove.