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Veteran specialist no longer with Penn State football program

The former No. 1 kicker in the country is one of two Nittany Lions we learned this week are no longer with the Penn State football program.

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Penn State's Sander Sahaydak misses on a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter of a Big Ten football game against Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa. © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As Penn State football prepares for winter workouts to get underway, the Nittany Lions are losing the former top kicker in the country from the program.

Veteran kicker Sander Sahaydak is no longer listed on the Penn State football roster following the program’s winter updates earlier this week. According to multiple reports, Sahaydak is no longer with the Nittany Lions despite having one season of eligibility remaining. Mark Brennan of Lions247 wrote on Thursday night that the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, native is considering pursuing a career in golf.

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Sahaydak went 3-9 on field goals and 25-25 on extra points throughout his Penn State football career. Exiting fall camp each of the last two seasons as the presumptive starter, Sahaydak lost the job to Alex Felkins in 2023 and Ryan Barker in 2024.

The Liberty High School product was the No. 1 kicker in the 2021 recruiting cycle, according to 247Sports.

In a similar situation, offensive lineman Addison Penn is also no longer on the Penn State football roster. Lions247 reports that the Duke transfer is forgoing his final season of eligibility for graduate school and the workforce.



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Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

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