When Penn State released its first 2021 spring roster on Monday, Justin Kopko’s name wasn’t on it.
Tuesday, Kopko let fans know why.
The former Hanover Area standout who joined the Nittany Lions as a preferred walk-on before the 2019 season announced he is planning to transfer.
First and foremost I would like to thank Coach Franklin and the whole Penn State staff for giving me an opportunity . At this time I would like to announce that I will be entering the transfer portal with 4 years of eligibility left. pic.twitter.com/sMKJ5NlUgW
— Justin Kopko (@jkop75) February 16, 2021
Kopko will have four seasons of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-3, 318 pounder didn’t see any game action during his two seasons, but he did make an impact with the Nittany Lions scout team. Three times in 2019 — during the week of preparation leading up to the Maryland, Michigan State and Indiana games — he earned the Developmental Squad’s player of the week honors.
As one local star’s career at Penn State ends, another’s begins. Former Wyoming Area two-way standout Dominic DeLuca is on Penn State’s spring roster. He is listed as a 6-foot-1, 202-pound safety. DeLuca was instrumental as a quarterback in Wyoming Area’s win in the 2019 PIAA Class AAA championship game, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for the game-winner in a 21-14 win.
DeLuca joined the Nittany Lions as a preferred walk-on.
Donnie Collins has been a member of The Times-Tribune sports staff for nearly 20 years and has been the Penn State football beat writer for Times-Shamrock Newspapers since 2004. The Penn State Football Blog covers Nittany Lions, Big Ten and big-time college football news from Beaver Stadium to the practice field, the bowl game to National Letter of Intent Signing Day. Contact: dcollins@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5368; @DonnieCollinsTT