Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula is entering the transfer portal ahead of the Nittany Lions College Football Playoff game against SMU.

In a statement announcing his decision on social media, Pribula noted that the timing of the transfer portal window meant he had a difficult decision to make.

"The current NCAA post-season model creates a challenge for student athletes," he wrote. "The overlapping CFB playoff & transfer portal timeline has forced me into 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 depart from the team to explore opportunities elsewhere."

Though Pribula was not Penn State's starting quarterback this season, the Nittany Lions used him often in specific packages that they'll now have to move away from with him entering the transfer portal.

Pribula, a sophomore, appeared in all 13 games this year, throwing for 275 passing yards, five touchdowns and an interception on 26-of-35 passing. He also had 38 carries for 242 yards and four touchdowns.

He saw the most action against Wisconsin when starting quarterback Drew Allar sustained an injury in the second half. In that contest, Pribula completed 11 of his 13 pass attempts for 98 yards and a touchdown along with 28 yards on the ground.

Last year, Pribula had 149 passing yards and four touchdowns, also picking up 329 rushing yards with six touchdowns on the ground.

Pribula, a native of York, Pennsylvania, was considered to be a 3-star prospect coming out of high school by 247Sports Composite, picking the Nittany Lions over Nebraska, Northwestern and a handful of other programs.

He's proved to be a reliable option during his time with Penn State and is now looking to get his chance to start elsewhere. Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, that means they will be without him in the CFP.

Should Penn State defeat SMU, it will move on to a matchup with No. 3 Boise State. Though the Nittany Lions didn't earn a first-round bye, it has a relatively manageable path to the College Football Playoff semifinal, where it would take on either Georgia, Notre Dame or Indiana.