Blue White Illustrated

Seven of Penn State's 2021 draft prospects made their case in front of NFL scouts as the Nittany Lions con- ducted Pro Day in Holuba Hall on March 25. A few of those players made head- lines, too. Micah Parsons, Jayson Oweh, Shaka Toney, Pat Freiermuth, Lamont Wade, Michal Menet and Will Fries all took part in the event in some capacity, as did Steven Gonzalez, who wrapped up his Penn State career in 2019 and is looking for a new team after being cut from the Arizona Cardinals last summer. This year's draft is set to take place April 29-May 1 in Cleveland. Here's a recap of how Penn State's draft hopefuls fared at Pro Day: JAYSON OWEH RECAP Unsurprisingly, the talented edge rusher was the star of the show. His 4.36-second 40-yard dash headlined his showing, but he also posted the best time in the pro drill, as well as the best mark in the L drill among the partici- pants. "I think I did very well," he said. "I think I could have done better at certain things." The freakish athleticism that Oweh displayed for the assembled scouts has put him in position to be selected in the first or second round. One oft-repeated knock on Oweh is that his obvious athletic ability didn't translate into sacks last year. He didn't register a single sack during his final season with the Nittany Lions, and he took time to address those concerns after his performance on Pro Day. "It's obviously there," he said, "but if you really are a savant of the game and if you really understand what's going on in the game and watch film, if you don't just look at the box score, you under- stand that's not who I am." RESULTS Bench: 21 reps at 225 pounds; vertical leap: 39.5 inches; broad jump: 11 feet, 2 inches; 40: 4.36 seconds; pro drill: 4.21 seconds; L drill: 6.83 seconds MICAH PARSONS RECAP Parsons fell short by a fraction of a second in his 40-yard dash battle with Oweh after the two spent the off- season training together, but the con- sensus All-America linebacker had plenty to be pleased about. When asked to make his case to be a top draft pick, Parsons highlighted his versatility. "I just feel like I'm the most versatile player in this class," he said. "I can play middle linebacker, I can play outside and I can pass rush. I don't think there's any place I can't play in the linebacker spot." Parsons also discussed his preparation for the upcoming NFL year after opting out of the 2020 college football season. "Just training, not taking days off," he said. "Just keep getting after it. The only way to get in game shape is to play in games. Once I get down to OTAs and mini camp, I think I'm going to keep get- ting in better and better shape. "I think it's going to come over time, but I think by the season, I'll be ready." RESULTS Bench: 19 reps at 225 pounds; vertical leap: 34.0 inches; broad jump: F O O T B A L L Oweh, Parsons dazzle scouts at Nittany Lions' Pro Day UP AND RUNNING Oweh turned in one of the most impressive performances of the afternoon at the Lions' Pro Day. His times in the 40-yard dash, L drill and pro drill were the day's best, as was his 39.5- inch vertical leap. Photo by Mark Selders/Penn State Athletics | THE NFL DRAFT AT A GLANCE WHERE Cleveland, Ohio WHEN April 29-May 1 // Day 1 Round 1 Day 2 Rounds 2 and 3 Day 3 Rounds 4 through 7 TV ABC, ESPN/ESPN2, NFL Network

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