Evan Royster will return and challenge the record books, but "Linebacker U" will have to
start anew at the position next season.
Royster, a junior running back, will return for his senior season needing just 481 yards to become Penn State's all-time leading rusher.
However, linebacker Navorro Bowman chose to skip his final season to move on to the NFL, leaving the Nittany Lions with the task of replacing their three top tacklers.
"I wanted to return to finish my degree and for my final year at Penn State," Royster said in a release announcing his decision. "I'm looking forward to next season."
The Virginia native rushed for 1,169 yards and six touchdowns this season to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors.
His 2,918 career rushing yards leaves him easily in striking distance of the program's all-time leader, Curt Warner. Warner was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame early last December.
"I think he's been a solid player with regards to his consistency," Warner said of Royster. "I like his game and I wish him all the best."
But with Bowman's departure, combined with the losses of seniors Josh Hull and Sean Lee, linebacker Bani Gbadyu's
37 tackles are the highest total out of next season's returning linebackers.
"My coaches and the Penn State family have helped me become a better player on the field and a better person off the field," Bowman said in the same release.
"I will miss my teammates, coaches and our fans, but will always be a Penn Stater no matter where I am."
Despite missing time with a groin injury, Bowman still ranked second on the team with 93 tackles, including a game-high nine against LSU in the Capital One Bowl.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno addressed the pair's decision process the day after the bowl win and before each one made theirs.
But Paterno understood at the time that while he wanted to keep both, each had different kinds of outside pressures because of family situations.
With this upcoming Friday the last date for underclassmen to declare for the draft, Dan Shonka of Ourlads.com said he couldn't easily project where Bowman may get drafted.
Though he thinks Bowman has to improve in coverage, Shonka envisions him being a second-round pick.
However, he hinted at the importance of the NFL Scouting Combine by adding that if Bowman posts a time like 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash, all bets would be off.
"Navorro's a heck of a linebacker," Shonka said.
"He's very athletic and one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten.
He's one of those linebackers who could come in and make a difference very early in his career."
