Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1464375
M A Y 2 0 2 2 4 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Brandon Smith | LB | 6-3.5 | 250 Projection: Mid-Round Pick Smith could have returned for another season at Penn State. But the rangy line- backer from Virginia made it clear a few months before the NFL Draft that he never seriously considered that option following the 2021 season. "For the most part, I already knew what my situation was going to be," Smith said at Penn State's Pro Day. "After that, it was just [a matter of ] really going out each game and doing what I needed to do and confirming what I already knew." Smith leaves PSU with mixed reviews. His athleticism and speed for his size are off the charts. However, tackling was often an issue, and he never took over games like his abilities suggested he could. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein asigned Smith a late-round grade. Zierlein cited issues with physicality and instincts as part of the reason why. However, one longtime draftnik be- lieves Smith will be off the board long before that. "Brandon Smith's versatility is outstanding," ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. said on a conference call. "He could be inside, he could be outside. He's wise to the football, he's got really good range. He's moving up. I could see him going ahead of [Arnold] Ebiketie in the early second round, maybe even late first round. But I'd say more second round for him." — Greg Pickel Jesse Luketa | LB/DE | 6-3 | 253 Projection: Mid-round pick Many Penn State players saw their draft stock change during the 2021 sea- son. Jesse Luketa may have been the big- gest benefactor. The Canada native moved to defen- sive end for his final season in blue and white, and it paid off in a big way, with Luketa earning third-team All-Big Ten honors. Now, he's hoping to land in the pros at either defensive end or linebacker, having played the lat- ter position earlier in his Penn State career. In addition to his versatility, NFL teams have taken notice of his passion for the game and willingness to do whatever his team needs. "They love my demeanor," Luketa said at Pro Day. "They love my film. And, whether it's at defensive end or line- backer, [having versatility] presents a lot of value. … The goal for me is to get on the field. It doesn't matter which position it is." Most draft analysts project Luketa as third- to fifth-round prospect. "He didn't run great at the combine but had a really good year," ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. said. "Some in the league were say- ing second round prior to that. That was a little rich for me. I thought more third round, so now you're thinking probably Day 3 for Luketa." — Greg Pickel Measurements ARMS 35 inches HANDS 10.25 inches 40 4.52 seconds BENCH 20 reps VERTICAL 37.5 inches BROAD 10 feet, 8 inches 3-CONE 6.94 seconds 20-YD. SHUTTLE — 60-YD. SHUTTLE — Measurements ARMS 33 inches HANDS 10.5 inches 40 4.89 seconds BENCH 18 reps VERTICAL 37.5 inches BROAD 9 feet, 6 inches 3-CONE 7.29 seconds* 20-YD. SHUTTLE — 60-YD. SHUTTLE — Penn State is hoping to eclipse last year's NFL Draft total, when eight play- ers were selected. If nine Nittany Lions were to be chosen this year, it would be the team's biggest draft class since 1996 when 10 were taken. In addition to the likely draftees profiled in the preceding pages, corner- back Tariq Castro-Fields, offensive tackle Rasheed Walker and specialist Jor- dan Stout attended the NFL Combine. Castro-Fields struggled with injuries in 2019 and 2020. But when healthy, he was a strong cover corner, and there's a good chance he'll be selected toward the end of Day 3. Walker is a true toss-up. He did not participate in drills at either the combine or Pro Day due to an undisclosed injury he suffered late in the 2021 season. He had been viewed earlier in his career as a Day 2 selection, but now he looks to be a Day 3 pick at best, unless there's a team that's willing to take a chance on a player who wasn't able to work out in advance of the draft. Stout could conceivably go in the later rounds, as well. But kickers and punters — Stout did both at PSU — typically end up entering the league as free agents; only two specialists were drafted last year. Finally, keep an eye on linebacker Ellis Brooks, offensive lineman Eric Wil- son, defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo and special teams ace Drew Hartlaub. They will be selected late if at all, but all four certainly have a chance to hear their names called before all is said and done. — Greg Pickel Other Nittany Lions Who Might Be Selected