Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin celebrates Penn State star’s NFL Draft decision

On Tuesday, Penn State football star Chop Robinson announced that he was declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft and opting out of the Nittany Lions’ Peach Bowl matchup. A bittersweet day for many Nittany Lions fans, excited for Robinson to pursue his NFL dreams, but sad not to see him suit up in the Blue and White one final time. However, one person was elated to see that Robinson was not playing in Penn State’s bowl game: Lane Kiffin. The Ole Miss coach took to social media to express his pleasure with Robinson’s decision.

Chop Robinson declares for the NFL Draft

Unsurprisingly, Penn State star DE Chop Robinson became the first Nittany Lion to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft on Tuesday.

Although he only played in Happy Valley for two seasons, the former Maryland transfer had a significant impact on the Penn State football program. Robinson was a force in opposing backfields, finishing his Nittany Lion career with 17.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.

With his NFL Draft declaration, Robinson also announced that he will forgo playing in the Peach Bowl versus Ole Miss. A disappointing decision for those who like to see college football’s best players finish the season with their teams, the choice is understandable in Robinson’s situation. The Penn State football star has the potential to be a first-round pick. In addition, Robinson already missed two games this year after suffering a scary injury against Ohio State. Minimizing risk may be the wise choice for a potential NFL star.

Lane Kiffin was overjoyed with Penn State football star’s decision

Statistically one of the best defenses in the nation, Penn State football was especially lethal in the backfield this season. The Nittany Lions rank second in the country with 101 tackles for loss and first in sacks with 48. A threat to any offense, this is particularly noteworthy against Ole Miss, who ranks No. 26 in passing offense this year.

Lane Kiffin highlighted the threat posed by Penn State during the Peach Bowl introductory press conference Sunday evening. In typical Lane Kiffin fashion, the Ole Miss coach also had a little fun when asked about the Nittany Lions’ personnel.

“When we don’t play teams with common opponents, and we don’t watch their film for breakdown purposes; I don’t really get to watch much football,” Kiffin said. “So I don’t get to see great teams, like Penn State, in other conferences play. I got an early report from my personnel people that [Penn State has] phenomenal players, great starters on defense. I was hoping Coach [James] Franklin was going to announce they’re opting out. That would help us with that, too.”

Well, Kiffin got his wish and one less game wrecker to worry about with the decision from Chop Robinson on Tuesday. And the Ole Miss coach made sure to thank the star DE on social media.

Best of luck!! Congrats on a great career!! https://t.co/8zIPPjapta

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) December 5, 2023

The tweet is on brand for Lane Kiffin, one of the most outgoing social media personalities in college football. But the Rebels still have plenty to prepare for on the Nittany Lions defense, with decisions from other potential Draft hopefuls like Kalen King, Adisa Isaac, and Curtis Jacobs still up in the air.

Penn State football will take on Ole Miss in the 2023 Peach Bowl on December 30 in Atlanta.

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