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NEWS & NOTES FOOTBALL Penn State quartet makes case at combine Draft expert says Hodges likely to be first Lion chosen Kevin Noon TESTING THE WATERS Mauti finished third among linebackers in the bench press but will likely go undrafted, one expert says. Michael Mauti is determined to play professional football. But while the NFL beckons, there remains an open question: How will he get there? Mauti is coming off his third anterior cruciate ligament tear in four years. The 6-foot-2, 243-pound AllAmerican was invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, which began Feb. 21, but he was only able to participate in the bench press portion of the physical drills. He made the most of that opportunity, pumping out 28 reps, the third-highest total among linebackers. He was also able to meet with representatives of every National Football League team and undoubtedly made a favorable impression. But the question lingers: Will any team be willing to spend a pick on Mauti? To hear draft analyst Frank Coyle of DraftInsiders.com tell it, the answer is likely no. ���It���s horrible timing,��� Coyle said. ���He probably doesn���t get drafted.��� That���s not to say Mauti won���t have an opportunity to secure a spot on an NFL roster. It���s been more than four months since he was injured against Indiana, and while he won���t be able to work out for any teams before the draft, which is set to take place April 25-27, he could find himself in an advantageous position if he were to go undrafted. ���He can still get bonus money as a rookie free agent, but the advantage obviously is that you can sign with all 32 teams,��� Coyle said. ���You need to know every team���s depth chart. His agent should be working like a wild man, figuring out where the openings are and be able to pick a really good team and, more than likely, get a signing bonus.��� Mauti���s teammate, close friend and fellow linebacker Gerald Hodges likely won���t have to worry about picking a team, since he���s poised to be the first Nittany Lion to be drafted. Checking in at 6-1, 243 pounds at the combine, Hodges ran the 40-yard dash in a modest 4.78 seconds. He also put up 22 reps on the bench press. According to NFL.com, Hodges graded out at an overall 72.4, ninthbest among all linebackers at the combine. Coyle said Hodges is likely to be drafted in the third or fourth

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