A loss for Nittany Lions
Top Penn State receiver K.J. Hamler will enter the 2020 NFL draft.
Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler announced via Twitter on Tuesday that he will forgo his final two seasons at Penn State and enter the 2020 NFL draft.
“After much prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL,” Hamler said in his statement. “My time here has been an unforgettable experience and has prepared me for this next chapter in my life. For that, I will forever be grateful.”
It was always going to be a possibility, if not a likelihood, that Hamler would leave after this season. In 2018, his redshirt freshman season, he broke out with 42 catches, 754 yards and five touchdowns, then followed up that up with 56 catches for 904 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019. Those receptions and receiving yard marks led the Nittany Lions both seasons.
In other surprising move, coach James Franklin announced that the contract for offensive line coach Matt Limegrover would not be renewed. “We appreciate all of Matt’s contributions to our program for the last four seasons,” Franklin said in a statement. “We wish Matt and his family all the best in the future.”
Wake Forest
In an unexpected move, starting quarterback Jamie Newman plans to play elsewhere next season as a graduate transfer. Newman, in a statement on social media, said his decision was based on wanting to “develop further and my desire to stretch myself and prepare for the next level.” He threw for 2,868 yards and 26 touchdowns with 11 interceptions for the eight-win Demon Deacons, who lost Friday to Michigan State in the Pinstripe Bowl.
LSU
Coach Ed Orgeron reinstated linebacker Michael Divinity Jr. for the national championship game Jan. 13 against Clemson. Divinity, a 6-foot-2, 241-pound senior, briefly left the team in midseason and returned to practice Nov. 18. He was prevented by LSU from playing in a handful of games because of violations of team rules.
“Mike has been a tremendous pass rusher for us. I know we’re definitely going to use him,” Orgeron said. “He’ll be back in a role, what he’s doing, and we’ll see what fits best.