JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It took 38 games and 100-plus career sacks until Christian Hackenberg’s body couldn’t take any more.
The Nittany Lions’ quarterback — once the big-armed five-star prospect who committed to Penn State despite NCAA sanctions and stayed through a coaching change — motioned to the sideline in the second quarter, looking for head coach James Franklin to take him out. After completing three of four passes while grimacing in pain and tugging at his throwing shoulder, Hackenberg jogged off EverBank Field and into the locker room clutching that right shoulder that’s expected to help him make a lot of money in the NFL if the junior chooses to declare in the coming weeks.