JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg and redshirt junior defensive tackle Austin Johnson both declared for the NFL Draft following the conclusion of the Nittany Lions’ 24-17 TaxSlayer Bowl loss to Georgia.
“It’s been an awesome ride,” said Hackenberg who exited the bowl game in the second quarter with what head coach James Franklin said was a sprained right shoulder. Hackenberg didn’t return though Franklin said the X-Rays were negative and Hackenberg said after the game he didn’t think the injury was serious.
“Tough way it kind of ended, but I bleed blue and white and this place means the world to me,” Hackenberg said.