Penn State’s Bowl Game Roster Thins as Key Veterans Opt Out of Pinstripe Bowl vs. Clemson
In today’s college football landscape, bowl games that don’t factor into the College Football Playoff often become showcases for younger talent - and that’s exactly what Penn State fans can expect when the Nittany Lions face Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Both programs began the season with lofty expectations. Penn State opened the year ranked No. 2, while Clemson wasn’t far behind at No.
- Fast-forward to December, and both teams find themselves out of the playoff conversation and headed to Yankee Stadium for a postseason matchup that feels more like a springboard for the future than a capstone to the season.
Penn State finished the regular season at 6-6, and with a veteran-heavy roster, it’s no surprise that several of the team’s top players are opting out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Here’s a look at the key names who won’t be suiting up for the Nittany Lions in the Bronx.
DEFENSE
DT Zane Durant
Zane Durant came to Happy Valley as part of the highly touted 2022 recruiting class - a group that included names like Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and Abdul Carter. Durant carved out a significant role on the defensive line and became one of the more consistent contributors from that class.
Now, he’s turning his focus to the next level.
In a heartfelt message posted to Instagram, Durant thanked a long list of coaches and mentors at Penn State, including head coach James Franklin. He also gave a nod to his parents and his faith, saying, “I want to thank the Lord because without him this wouldn’t be possible.”
Durant’s departure leaves a big hole up front for the Nittany Lions, both in terms of production and leadership.
S Zakee Wheatley
Zakee Wheatley’s Penn State career has been defined by big-game performances and ironman durability.
He first made his name in last year’s College Football Playoff run, earning Defensive MVP honors in the Fiesta Bowl and following that up with a monster outing in the Orange Bowl semifinal against Notre Dame - a 16-tackle, one-interception performance that cemented his reputation as a playmaker.
This season, Wheatley stayed consistent. He finished second on the team with 74 tackles and logged 658 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus - second only to linebacker Amare Campbell.
In his farewell statement, Wheatley thanked God, the Penn State fanbase, and his family, writing, “I could not have imagined a better collegiate career or experience anywhere in the country.”
His absence in the secondary will be felt, especially against a Clemson team still capable of moving the ball through the air.
OFFENSE
RB Nicholas Singleton
According to a report from the Reading Eagle, Nicholas Singleton has played his final game in a Penn State uniform. His father confirmed the decision, which closes the book on one of the most dynamic running back careers in school history.
Singleton burst onto the scene in 2022 with a 179-yard, two-touchdown performance in his Beaver Stadium debut against Ohio. From there, he never looked back. He topped 1,000 rushing yards as a true freshman and repeated the feat in 2024, finishing with a career-high 1,099 yards.
His final act? A record-breaking performance against Rutgers in the regular season finale. Singleton racked up 183 total yards in a 40-36 win that secured bowl eligibility for Penn State - and in the process, broke the school records for both rushing and total touchdowns.
He leaves as Penn State’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards, rushing touchdowns, and total touchdowns. That’s a legacy that will be hard to match.
LG Vega Ioane
Vega Ioane is another big-time name who won’t be on the field in the Pinstripe Bowl - and he might just be the highest-profile draft prospect on the team.
The left guard is widely projected as a first-round pick, and he’s decided to begin his pre-draft process early.
In a message to fans and teammates, Ioane called his four years at Penn State “a journey of a lifetime,” and thanked the program for helping shape him into the man he is today.
His departure leaves a significant void on the offensive line, especially in terms of pass protection and run blocking for a team that’s leaned heavily on its ground game.
Looking Ahead to the Pinstripe Bowl
The Nittany Lions will take the field at Yankee Stadium on December 27, but it’ll be a very different-looking team than the one that started the season with playoff hopes. With several veteran leaders opting out, this game becomes a proving ground for younger players - a chance to build momentum heading into 2026.
For Penn State, it’s not just about finishing the season on a high note. It’s about setting the tone for what comes next.