Penn State football defensive tackle PJ Mustipher announces return for 2022 season
Penn State is returning a key anchor to their defensive line next season.
Senior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher announced his return for the 2022 campaign Tuesday on Twitter, following safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and Jonathan Sutherland and cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who also said they’ll return to the team.
“I am extremely grateful to have been a student-athlete at this university for the past four years,” Mustipher wrote. My time at Penn State has been better than I could’ve imagined. Each and every day, I’m surrounded by a group of men who are leaders, hard workers and passionate about what they do on and off the field. This past year didn’t end the way I had expected and I look forward to pursuing the goals we have set out as a team, as well as the goals I have for myself. I am going to use my extra year of eligibility and return to Penn State for my fifth year. I am excited to get back to school and continue my rehab and working with the guys for the upcoming season!”
The 6-foot-4, 326-pound defensive tackle had 21 tackles (16 solo) on the season, three for loss and one sack in five games for the Nittany Lions. He had undisclosed injury in Penn State’s 23-20 loss against Iowa and missed the remainder of the season.
Since Mustipher’s injury on Oct. 9, Dvon Ellies, Coziah Izzard and Fred Hansard have seen increased roles in his absence. All three are set to return to the program, along with the additions of 4-star defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant and 3-star defensive lineman Kaleb Artis in the 2022 recruiting class. Defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo and defensive end Arnold Ebiketie announced their intention to enter the 2022 NFL Draft.
Mustipher joined the program in 2018 from McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland. He’s provided a strong presence along the interior defensive line. He’s racked up 107 tackles (49 solo), 10 for loss, three sacks, a pass deflection and two forced fumbles in 36 games played in four years.
Mustipher, Ellies, Dennis-Sutton, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, offensive lineman Will Knuttson all attended McDonogh and national recruiting coordinator Kenny Sanders each attended McDonogh.
