BREAKING: Top Penn State football CB will not play in Peach Bowl

Penn State football will be without another key defender for its Peach Bowl matchup on December 30. Nittany Lions CB Johnny Dixon will not play in the Peach Bowl game, according to head coach James Franklin. Dixon becomes the second Penn State defender to opt out of postseason play, and presumably the 8th Nittany Lion to declare for the NFL Draft. However, Dixon has not made an official statement about his playing future at this time.

Penn State CB Johnny Dixon will not play in Peach Bowl

Ole Miss has a top-half passing offense in 2023, but Penn State football will have to face the Rebels without at least one multi-year starter at corner. On Friday, James Franklin announced that senior CB Johnny Dixon is not currently with the team and will not participate in the Nittany Lions Peach Bowl matchup.

James Franklin says that CB Johnny Dixon is not currently with the team, won't play in Peach Bowl. He has not yet publicly announced opt out.

Dixon was not seen at three open Penn State practices this month. @247Sports' @mzenitz reported 12/15 that Dixon was expected to opt out.

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) December 29, 2023

It was already known that Dixon would not use his sixth year of COVID eligibility to return to the Nittany Lions in 2024, accepting an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl on December 13. Matt Zenitz of 247Sports first reported on December 15 that the Penn State CB would likely opt out of the Peach Bowl.

Transferring from South Carolina in 2020, Dixon had an impressive three years for the Nittany Lions. He finishes his Penn State football career with 60 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions.

Voted third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches, Dixon had 26 tackles in 2023. His 4.5 sacks tied for second-most on the team and led all FBS CBs.

More decisions to come?

The opt-out by Johnny Dixon is a significant blow to Penn State football for the upcoming Peach Bowl matchup. Ole Miss ranks No. 26 nationally with 277 passing yards per game coming into the contest. Daequan Hardy has confirmed his status for the Peach Bowl despite declaring for the NFL Draft on December 21.

An official announcement from fellow Nittany Lion corner Kalen King has not been made. However, Penn State assistant coach Terry Smith hinted at the fact that the Nittany Lions would be losing three CBs to the NFL Draft during National Signing Day. 

Penn State football will now turn to young DBs Cam Miller, Zion Tracy, and Elliot Washington II to help handle the Rebels passing attack in the Peach Bowl. The sophomore Miller appeared in eight games this season on defense. True freshmen Tracy and Washington appeared in eight and seven games, respectively, on defense and special teams.

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