It’s been an eventful journey for Jake Pinegar as Penn State’s starting kicker throughout his half-decade in State College. He ended it on a high note — a Rose Bowl win.
Now, he’s decided he’s ready for the next step in his career. Pinegar announced via Twitter that he’s declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.
— Jake Pinegar (@jpinegar10) January 14, 2023
“The last five years at Penn State have been nothing short of spectacular,” Pinegar wrote. “Through the hghs and lows, I have learned so much and I wouldn’t want my path to be shaped any other way.
“I would like to thank Coach Franklin and every other coach and mentor at Penn State for their help shaping me into the person I am today. I would also like to thank my family and close friends for the unwavering support throughout my journey.
“With that being said, I think it is time for the next chapter in my career. I have decided to chase a childhood dream of mine of playing in the NFL.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.— Jake Pinegar (@jpinegar10) January 14, 2023
Pinegar immediately made an impact at Penn State upon arriving as a freshman from Iowa. He connected on 16-of-24 field goal attempts and 53-of-55 point-after attempts as a freshman and 11-of-12 field goal attempts and 56-of-58 point-after attempts as a sophomore.
But with the arrival of Jordan Stout, who transferred from Virginia Tech in 2019, Pinegar shared the ball a bit more. He went 9-of-13 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and played just two games before redshirting in the 2021 season.
As a redshirt senior in 2022, he nailed 12-of-16 field goal attempts and 57-of-59 point-after attempts, while handling kickoff specialist duties, en route to a Rose Bowl win.
Jake Pinegar leaves Penn State ranked No. 1 in career extra points (190), No. 4 in field goals made and attempted (49-of-67) and No. 7 in field goal percentage (73.1%). He’s scored all-time with 337 points.
