With less than two weeks remaining before kickoff at Yankee Stadium, Penn State continues to monitor its roster availability ahead of the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson.
Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith said the Nittany Lions currently have five players confirmed as opt-outs, with the possibility of additional decisions still looming as the team prepares for the Dec. 27 matchup.
“Right now, we have four guys that have opted out of the game [plus one more],” Smith said during a Pinstripe Bowl media availability. “That’s all that are confirmed right now. We’re practicing with a full allotment so far, and we take it day by day from there.”
The game, set for a noon kickoff on ABC, features Clemson (7–5) and Penn State (6–6) meeting inside Yankee Stadium.
Clemson has already ruled out 27 scholarship players for a mix of injuries and opt-outs, including eight starters from its win over South Carolina to close the regular season. Penn State’s number remains significantly lower, though Smith acknowledged there is no hard deadline for players to make their decisions.
“I had a meeting last week with the staff and the players separately,” Smith said. “The meeting was simple — you’re either in or you’re out. The people who are going to show up in New York, we’re going to be prepared and ready to go win the game.”
Among Penn State’s confirmed opt-outs are guard Vega Ioane, safety Zakee Wheatley, defensive tackle Zane Durant, running back Nick Singleton, and cornerback Elliot Washington II.
Singleton’s absence is particularly notable. He finished second on the team in rushing with 549 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also adding 24 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown through the air. Ioane earned All-American honors on the offensive line, while Wheatley ranked second on the team with 74 tackles. Durant recorded four sacks and an interception, and Washington also picked off a pass this season.
Penn State is also dealing with roster movement beyond bowl opt-outs. EDGE Chaz Coleman plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, further thinning the defensive front. Coleman emerged as one of Penn State’s most promising young defenders this season and earned True Freshman Midseason All-American honors after making an early impact off the edge.
Smith noted that some veteran players could be placed on snap counts, even if they do not fully opt out, as the staff balances health, development, and competitiveness.
“Each kid is a case-by-case basis,” Smith said. “You want to play your veteran guys, but you don’t want to put them in jeopardy. You want to see your young guys participate. Ultimately, we want to win the football game.”
Notably, Penn State’s leading rusher Kaytron Allen—who rushed for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns this season—has not opted out as of now.
As bowl prep continues, both teams remain in roster flux, with availability expected to shape game planning on both sidelines heading into the postseason matchup in New York.