In the hours leading up to Penn State Football taking on Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, Penn State head coach James Franklin announced a second opt out for the Nittany Lions, cornerback Johnny Dixon.

Franklin announced Friday that Dixon did not travel with the team to Atlanta and is not expected to play in the Peach Bowl.

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Penn State Football Depleated by Opt Outs

Dixon joins Chop Robinson as Penn State’s second opt out of the Peach Bowl.

After transferring from South Carolina, Johnny Dixon played three seasons for Penn State, eventually settling in to the starting cornerback role opposite of Kalen King.

In 2023, Dixon tallied for 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. Heading into 2024, Penn State will be without Daequan Hardy, Kalen King, and now Johnny Dixon.

Sophomore Cam Miller and freshman Elliot Washington and Zion Tracy will have the opportunity to step up in Dixon’s absence to push for playing time or a starting role next year.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,” Franklin told reporters, of getting young players into the Peach Bowl. “These are the guys that we’re going to play next season, so it creates more opportunities in this game. We’ve embraced the next man up mentality.”

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