Is Penn State’s K.J. Hamler declaring for the NFL draft? You’ll find out after the bowl, he says
K.J. Hamler knows where to go when he has a decision to make.
The redshirt sophomore wide receiver puts his cleats on, grabs his Bible and heads to Penn State’s practice facility, Holuba Hall, to sit down at the 50-yard line to pray. That spot, which Hamler says he frequents when decisions get complicated, is his quiet place.
“I just go out there,” Hamler said. “I just sit on the field, sit in the middle of the 50-yard line. I just read some Scripture and ask God to give me a sign. It’s been helping a lot.”
The redshirt sophomore has been finding himself at that spot more often, as he contemplates what he called the “toughest decision” of his life — whether or not to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft or return to the Nittany Lions.
As of Penn State’s pre-Cotton Bowl media availability on Friday, Hamler had yet to make a decision. Weighing the different options, he said, has him more stressed out than ever.
“I didn’t it was going to be this difficult and this stressful,” he said. “It’s like recruiting ... If you choose the wrong school it can mess up your future, but this can mess up your future as well.”
So, needless to say, Hamler’s been spending a lot of time on that 50-yard line. He’s also been focused on practicing and preparing for the Cotton Bowl matchup with Memphis on Dec. 28.
It’s when he’s playing football, Hamler said, that his mind is most at peace.
“You can have something going on outside, you know, family-wise or school-wise, but as soon as you’re on that football field, I forget everything,” he said. “It’s all about what I’m doing on the field. I knew that’s always been my quiet place from the day I started playing the game. I think, just going there late at night, and just thinking to myself, just keeps me at peace.”
Head coach James Franklin said he sets up meetings with all draft-eligible players and their parents to go over their options and give them draft projections and information put together by conversations with scouts and general managers to give them an idea of where they might be if they declared for the draft.
For those projected to go in the first round, Franklin said he encourages them to move on. Franklin called the second round a “personal decision,” but said those players should also lean toward leaving, while those projected to go in the third round or lower are encouraged to return to school.
After having gotten all the information and consulting with his parents and coaches, Hamler is waiting for some divine intervention.
“I’m really just waiting on God to give me a sign,” he said. “I think it’s a win-win (whether) I stay or leave. You’ve always got to write the pros and cons down. I always go to my quiet places and ask God what to do.”
While Hamler still has time to make his decision, some of his teammates — particularly quarterback and longtime friend Sean Clifford —are getting anxious to hear which path Hamler will take.
Other teammates, such as senior offensive guard Steven Gonzalez and sophomore tight end Pat Freiermuth, have been a bit more understanding in letting the Pontiac, Michigan, native take his time.
“There’s a lot of things you’ve got to weigh in,” Gonzalez, who made the decision to stay last season, said. “If anyone on the team needed my help with that decision, I’d be happy to help them.”
Freiermuth, who already made his decision to return, added: “Everyone’s process is so much different. He’s been here (for) another year. He’s developed more as a man and as a football player. In the end it’s his decision. That’s my boy, I’m gonna support him with whatever his decision is.”
Hamler’s decision will have a major impact on next year’s team. If Hamler stays, he’ll remain the team’s top offensive weapon and return as one of the best playmakers in the country with the ball in his hands. If he leaves, the Penn State offense will have to replace him with unproven commodities.
Hamler has been the star of Penn State’s offense in 2019. He caught 54 passes for 858 yards and 11 touchdowns through the team’s 12 regular-season games and is the wide receivers’ clear vocal leader.
However, the redshirt sophomore already has an idea of who could replace his boisterous personality, should he choose to leave.
“I think Daniel George is a vocal guy,” Hamler said. “He gets the energy up; he can set the tempo.”
Until he gets that “sign,” Hamler doesn’t have much interest in talking about his decision. He said he’ll make his announcement after the Cotton Bowl. For now, he’s focusing on the opponent that lies ahead.
“I don’t want to talk about (my decision) right now,” Hamler said. “I’m focused on this decision and my teammates. Y’all are gonna find out right after the bowl game.”
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 6:28 PM.
