Top Ole Miss defender opts out of Peach Bowl vs. Penn State football

The Penn State football team has a little over a week before they face Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. Over the past few weeks, the team has dealt with many updates surrounding the future of the current Nittany Lions. However, many players have decided to play in the Peach Bowl and enter the 2024 NFL Draft. On the opposite sideline, it has been a quiet month for Ole Miss. However, that changed on Thursday night when the Cedric Johnson news was revealed. Johnson has chosen to opt out of the Peach Bowl next weekend.

Ole Miss active leader in sacks opts out of Peach Bowl

If Ole Miss wants to get to Penn State football QB Drew Allar, the Rebels will have to do it without the active leader in sacks, Cedric Johnson. It appears that the senior defensive end has played his last game in college and is turning toward the NFL Draft.

Johnson collected 19 sacks in his Ole Miss career. He also had 112 tackles and 22 tackles for loss. At 6’3, 265 pounds, the loss of Johnson certainly helps level the playing field for the Nittany Lions.

Rebel Insider: #OleMiss senior EDGE Cedric Johnson is opting out of the Peach Bowl ⤵️

Story: https://t.co/4dcBiN6CuY
Join the Spirit! https://t.co/AYUS8BRVDJ pic.twitter.com/HZ6SBI39cO

— OMSpiritOn3 (@OMSpiritOn3) December 21, 2023

Ole Miss QB Spencer Sanders illegible for Peach Bowl

Another player that Lane Kiffin will be without next Saturday is backup quarterback Spencer Sanders. This could be a major factor if the Rebels lose starting quarterback Jaxon Dart at all against Penn State.

“Senior Ole Miss backup quarterback Spencer Sanders has played his last down of college football,” wrote Tyler Komis of 247Sports. “As first reported by the Rebel Yell Hotline, and now confirmed by Inside the Rebels, Sanders has been deemed academically ineligible to participate in Ole Miss’ 2023 season finale in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl. His attention will now likely shift to pursuing his NFL dreams.”

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