Multiyear Penn State starting lineman reveals stay or go decision

As the deadline to declare for the NFL Draft rapidly approaches, Penn State football now knows the plans of one of its most veteran starters. On Tuesday night, three-year starting offensive lineman Sal Wormley announced that he is off to the professional ranks, forgoing a potential seventh season with the Nittany Lions.

“Coming to Penn State has been one of the best decisions I have made so far in life,” Wormley said in a statement. “The lifelong brothers that I have made here, having a coach that believes in you like Traut [Phil Trautwein] did with me, and the rest of the staff that pushed me to the limit is something I’m forever grateful for. I’m thankful for the culture that Coach Franklin instilled in me and the rest of the football team.

“To my teammates, I know you all will be great next season and in whatever you all decide to do in life. State College will forever be a home to me.

“With that said, there is one more thing I need to do. I am thrilled to say I am declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.”

2025🤩 pic.twitter.com/zDjnzV9VVC

— Mi Amor🌹 (@SaleemWormley) January 15, 2025

Wormley arrived in Happy Valley in 2019. He saw the field three times during the COVID-shortened 2020 season before missing all of 2021 with an injury. Since then, Wormley has been a fixture of the Nittany Lions offensive front, starting every single game for Penn State football – 42 in total – over the last three seasons.

A native of Newark, New Jersey, Wormley exhausted all of his standard eligibility at the end of the 2024 season. However, he could have returned for a seventh season as a Nittany Lion with a medical waiver from the NCAA.

Penn State football NFL Draft tracker

As we approach midweek, where James Franklin and Penn State football stand regarding most of the 2024 roster’s biggest names is beginning to come into focus.

Sal Wormley becomes the sixth member of the program to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. The deadline for any outstanding Nittany Lions to turn pro is Wednesday.

The five-day extension for players to enter the transfer portal after the Orange Bowl is now complete. However, Penn State still has 48 hours to submit paperwork on a player’s behalf once they enter the portal.

NFL Draft declarations:

KJ Winston, S – declared for NFL Draft on December 12.

Abdul Carter, DE – declared for NFL Draft on January 10.

Jalen Kimber, CB – declared for NFL Draft on January 12.

Jaylen Reed, S – declared for NFL Draft on January 12.

Kobe King, LB – declared for NFL Draft on January 14.

Sal Wormley, OL – declared for NFL Draft on January 14.

Draft-eligible players returning for 2025:

Drew Allar, QB – announced return on December 16.

Zakee Wheatley, S – announced return on December 23.

Zane Durant, DT – announced return on January 11.

Nicholas Singleton, RB – announced return on January 13.

Kaytron Allen, RB – announced return on January 13.

Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE – announced return on January 13.

Smith Vilbert, DE – announced return on January 14.

Nick Dawkins, OL – announced return on January 14.

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