Penn State end Jayson Oweh declares for the 2021 NFL Draft

Penn State defensive end Jayson Oweh has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.

The junior from New Jersey made his announcement Saturday, exactly a week after the Nittany Lions’ 4-5 season ended with a victory over Illinois inside of an empty Beaver Stadium.

“After careful and precise consideration with my family and those closest to me, I have officially decided to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft,” Oweh said in a released statement. “I want to thank my family for getting me here. Mom, Dad, Natasha, Kaylen and Otega, you guys are the first team I ever had. I also want to thank Blair Academy for changing my life. Coach Saylor and Coach Mantegna, words can’t express what it meant to me that you believed and saw something in me at the age of 16. I haven’t looked back since and I’m forever grateful.

“To Penn State, thank you to the athletic training, strength and academic staffs. To everyone who has been an integral part of my life, thank you for making my three years here the best in my life. In the words of Coach Franklin, ‘In reality, every day you have a choice. If you want to be successful, there really is only one choice.’ Coach, I will carry your teachings and culture forever. Thank you for always keeping everything in perspective and showing me how to chase not just a dream, but even better, my dreams.”

Oweh, who said he will continue to work toward earning his undergraduate degree from Penn State while training for the next level, was expected to leave school early for the pros after a strong third season in blue and white. He finished the year with 38 tackles, 6.5 of which went for a loss, and joined position mate Shaka Toney as a first-team All-Big Ten selection following the nine-game slate. Oweh also made a number of key plays that disrupted opposing offenses even if they didn’t end up on the stat sheet, and he should test extremely well ahead of the draft, as his freakish athleticism, explosiveness and talent have been praised since he was a four-star recruit coming out of high school.

“Jayson has grown so much as a football player, student, leader and man since he set foot on campus in 2018,” Penn State coach James Franklin said in a release statement. “His growth and development demonstrate the level of his character and buy in to our program’s core values. On the field, his hard work and dedication led him to a first-team All-Big Ten selection this season.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Jayson and appreciate everything he has done in our program. As I’ve always said, one of my responsibilities as head coach is to ensure all our players maximize their potential and fulfill their dreams. I am excited to see Jayson chase his professional dreams and I am confident he will succeed in the NFL and whatever else in his bright future he sets his mind on!”

Two Penn State players have now announced that they are leaving school early for the NFL, as Oweh is joined by 2020 Big Ten tight end of the year and 2019 All-American Pat Freiermuth in doing so. Two other potential returners are also gone, as defensive tackles Judge Culpepper and Antonio Shelton both entered the NCAA’s transfer portal last week.