Penn State football will now be without another starting linebacker for the Outback Bowl.
Linebacker Ellis Brooks announced via Twitter Monday night that he’s opting out of the bowl game and declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft. He joins Brandon Smith as the second Nittany Lion linebacker to declare for the NFL draft so far.
“After having multiple conversations with my family members and coaches, I have decided to forego the bowl game to focus on getting healthy, as it’s now time to chase my dream of playing at the highest level and officially declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft,” Brooks wrote.
“To my coaches and teammates, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to play the game I love with,” he continued. “I’ll forever be a Penn Stater.”
Brooks came to Penn State as a four-star recruit back in 2017. After redshirting his first season, the linebacker went on to have a successful career in Happy Valley as a steady piece in the middle of Brent Pry’s defense.
The Virginia native’s 2021 season saw him reach an impressive milestone, as he totaled 100 tackles for the first time in his college career. Over the course of his Nittany Lion career, Brooks posted 230 tackles, 15 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and one interception.
As things currently stand, Penn State’s linebackers are presumably set to be led by Jesse Luketa and Curtis Jacobs for the squad’s bowl game.
