Penn State veteran defender reveals NFL Draft status

Penn State football is losing another veteran defender to the NFL. On Saturday night, senior defensive lineman Coziah Izzard announced his next plans for a “new era” on social media.

“To Coach Franklin and the entire Penn State coaching staff, thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow not only as a player but as a man and shaping me into the best version of myself,” Izzard said in his statement. ” To my teammates, I can’t express how grateful I am to have built so many life-long relationships with you guys.

“With that said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Thank you Penn State! I’m forever grateful!”

New Era…🙏🏾✨#WeAre pic.twitter.com/smp3JRVfex

— Coziah Izzard🥀 (@Co_Izzard) January 19, 2025

Izzard played in 15/16 matchups for the Nittany Lions this season, recording 31 tackles and seven tackles for loss. Appearing in 50 games and making seven starts since 2020, Izzard wraps up his Penn State football career with 78 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks.

Penn State football NFL Draft tracker

Coziah Izzard is the latest in a long list of Penn State defenders to declare for the NFL Draft. So far, lineman Sal Wormley is the only player on the offensive side of the ball to take the next steps into the pro ranks.

As of Saturday night, 14 Nittany Lions have announced their plans to return to Happy Valley for 2025 despite being Draft-eligible.

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.

Coziah Izzard, DT – declared for the NFL Draft on January 18.

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.

Gabe Nwosu, K – announced return on January 15.

Ryan Barker, K – announced return on January 15.

Riley Thompson, P – announced return on January 15.

Tyler Duzansky, LS – announced return on January 15.

Dom DeLuca, LB – announced return on January 15.

JB Nelson, OL – announced return on January 15.

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