Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula reveals ‘impossible decision’ that led him to leave Lions before CFP.

On By Littum

Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula has released a statement regarding his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal prior to the Nittany Lions’ first-round matchup with SMU. He will not be with the team during any of its postseason runs as he looks for a place to play next season.

“Growing up in Pennsylvania, it has always been a dream of mine to play football for Penn State,” Pribula wrote. “Wearing the blue and white for the past 3 years has brought me some of the greatest moments of my life. The current NCAA post-season model creates a challenge for student-athletes. The overlapping CFB playoff and transfer portal timelines have forced me to an impossible decision.

“After speaking at length with my family and coaches, it is with a heavy heart that I announce my intentions to enter the transfer portal and leave the team to explore opportunities elsewhere. I would like to thank the coaches, my teammates, the fan base and everyone else who has supported me on this journey. For the rest of my life, I am a proud Penn State graduate and letterman.”

The NCAA transfer portal opened on December 9. The window lasts until December 28. If Penn State makes it to the College Football Playoff championship, it will be played on Jan. 20, 2025. That’s after most, if not all, Power Four Conference schools start their spring semester.

So Pribula found himself in the unwanted predicament of staying at Penn State and possibly, if not likely, not starting next year or looking for a new school where he could now. If you’re a Nittany Lion fan mad at his choice, you should direct your anger at the current structure of the sport that legitimately leaves him and others like him with almost no choice. It’s not “fair” for everyone involved. But based on the current setup, that’s about the only option.

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