Welcome to our daily Nittany Notebook. This post will be updated frequently throughout the day with news, notes and sometimes entertaining info. So be sure to check back often to stay on top of everything that’s going on with Penn State football and athletics, plus other sports of interest in central PA.
Update: 4:45 p.m.
**Wow, this is why the transfer portal is about to become the wild, wild West. You just never know who is going to look to transfer or why.
PSU DT Antonio Shelton entered the portal today. Shelton is a starter who played a lot and had good moments of productivity. He played in all nine games this season and had 14 tackles (5 solo), 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss.
Shelton graduated from PSU, so he will be a grad transfer wherever he lands. Not that that matters any longer since he would be immediately eligible anyway under new and pending NCAA rules.
Thank you for everything Penn State! I’ll always love you!! #WeAre
-Groovy pic.twitter.com/IuAEhGTtTX
— Antonio Shelton (@groovyIV) December 23, 2020
2016 3-star DT Antonio Shelton has entered the portal as a grad transfer after totaling 51 tackles, 12.5 TFL and 6 sacks at #WeAre @rivalsmike@RivalsWoody @RivalsSnyder @NateBauerBWIhttps://t.co/kaAiDjz3Kh
— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) December 23, 2020
Shelton’s 2020 highlights, from his PSU bio page:
2020 • REDSHIRT SENIOR SEASON
Season: Made seven starts…One of five players to earn their degree before the 2020 season…Graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism in December 2019.
at Indiana (10/24): Recorded two tackles…Made a solo tackle for loss. Ohio State (10/31): Collected two tackles…Had a solo sack in the second quarter, tying career highs for tackles for loss and sacks…Added first career pass breakup. Maryland (11/7): Matched a career high with three tackles. at Michigan (11/28): Assisted on one tackle…Added a QB hurry. at Rutgers (12/5): Assisted on one tackle…Added a QB hurry.
Update: 1:42 p.m.
**PSU offensive lineman Will Fries will play in the Hula Bowl, it was announced this afternoon. The game will be played Jan. 31 in Honolulu.
The Hula Bowl is excited to invite Will Fries @willfries55 from Penn State University to come and showcase his talent at the 2021 Hula Bowl in Hawaii!!#hulabowl #hawaii #CollegeFootball pic.twitter.com/GS71k80HUz
— Hula Bowl (@Hula_Bowl) December 23, 2020
Update: 12:40 p.m.
**Penn State redshirt sophomore DT Judge Culpepper has entered the transfer portal, according to 247Sports. Culpepper, who’s from Tampa, Fla., was a 3-star recruit.
His stats bio from PSU:
2020 • REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE SEASON
Awards: Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Season: Appeared in nine games on defense and special teams…Made five tackles and a half-sack.
Maryland (11/7): Collected a career-high three tackles…Recorded a half-sack in the third quarter. at Nebraska (11/14): Made one tackle. Iowa (11/21): Registered one tackle.
2019 • REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON
Awards: Selected Academic All-Big Ten.
Season: Appeared in 13 games, primarily on special teams…One of 29 players to make their collegiate debut.
Buffalo (9/7): Assisted on one tackle. Rutgers (11/30): Registered a half-sack.
2018 • TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON
Awards: Won the Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year award, along with Max Chizmar and Justin Neff, at the team’s awards banquet.
Season: Redshirt season.
Awards: Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Season: Appeared in nine games on defense and special teams…Made five tackles and a half-sack.
Maryland (11/7): Collected a career-high three tackles…Recorded a half-sack in the third quarter. at Nebraska (11/14): Made one tackle. Iowa (11/21): Registered one tackle.
Penn State redshirt sophomore DT Judge Culpepper is in the portal. He had five tackles in nine games this year. https://t.co/srs3vnFyxU
— 247Sports Transfer Portal (@247SportsPortal) December 23, 2020
Update: 9:55 a.m.
**Penn State safety Lamont Wade has accepted an invitation to participate in the College Gridiron Showcase, which will be held in Fort Worth, Texas, from Jan. 17-21.
Welcome to #CGS2021@ThurtyAte of @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/Mw6Hj4tNuD
— Mike Rittelmann (@MRitt9140) December 23, 2020
LAMONT WADE TO THE 🏠 pic.twitter.com/fAjEWAhC3r
— Barstool Penn State (@PSUBarstool) December 19, 2020
Here’s a look at what the College Gridiron Showcase is for, from its website:
The FIRST Major all-star event of the college football post-season, top college senior players, selected by a panel of football experts, will be invited to our 2021 College Gridiron Showcase & Symposium to be held January 17th through 21st, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. Since our 2015 inaugural event, more than 500 CGS participants have been offered pro opportunities. At the 2020 College Gridiron Showcase, scouts from 31 of the 32 NFL teams, all nine CFL teams, and other professional leagues were on hand to evaluate and meet with our players. In total, participants had the opportunity to show their stuff to 150 professional scouts! The first all-star event to implement an OTA format, CGS showcases players through practices and a controlled scrimmage with professional coaches. The 2021 will see players perform individual and non-timed, non-contact combine style drills, attend meetings, and, in many cases have the opportunity for personal interviews with scouts and executives. In addition to exposure to scouts, CGS provides participants with a strong professional football education component that includes mentoring, life coaching, and seminars that will benefit them as they move forward in their professional lives in or outside of football. Seminars related to financial education, the life of a professional athlete, and on- and off-field player expectations are offered. Family seminars are also available. For more information about the 2021 College Gridiron Showcase & Symposium, CGS Small School Invitational Showcase, and CGS Specialist Showcase, please visit the links below
Click for more Nittany Sports Now coverage
