Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1507572
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3 6 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Scruggs won the starting center job in preseason camp but suffered a pulled hamstring during a preseason game against New Orleans on Aug. 27 and opened the season on injured reserve. His recovery is expected to take two to four weeks. Donovan Smith (2011-14), OT, Kansas City Chiefs: Smith, who signed with the Chiefs in May after eight seasons in Tampa Bay, started at left tackle for the defending Super Bowl champs. Kan- sas City managed 316 yards of offense in a 21-20 loss to Detroit, and Smith had a critical holding penalty that negated a first-down catch with the Chiefs trying to rally late in the fourth quarter. Chris Stoll (2017-22), LS, Seattle Seahawks: Signed as an undrafted free agent, Stoll made the Seahawks' roster and was their long snapper on opening day. He had 1 tackle in Seattle's 30-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Jordan Stout (2022), P, Baltimore Ravens: Stout averaged 49.8 yards on 5 punts in Baltimore's season-opening victory over Houston. Brenton Strange (2019-22), TE, Jacksonville Jag- uars: Strange did not have any catches in Jackson- ville's 31-21 victory over Indianapolis. Mitchell Tinsley (2022), WR, Washington Com- manders: Tinsley made the Commanders' 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent but did not have any catches in his NFL debut against Arizona. Rasheed Walker (2018-21), OT, Green Bay Pack- ers: Listed as Green Bay's second-team right tackle heading into his second NFL season, Walker helped the Packers total 329 yards in their Week 1 victory over Chicago. Parker Washington (2020-22), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Washington did not have any catches in Jacksonville's win at Indianapolis. ■ The 2023 college football season has arrived, and that means the 2024 NFL mock draft season has arrived, too. Some will roll their eyes at the idea of calling players potential first-round draft picks eight months before the next pro selection process begins. But that's the way the ecosystem operates, and it's off and running yet again. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller recently posted his initial predictions for which 32 prospects will go off the board first next April in Detroit. Three Nittany Lions made the cut. Junior left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu is the first of those players. The preseason All-American and team captain is projected to go at No. 5 overall to the Los Angeles Rams. The NFC West franchise needs to fix its left tackle spot, Miller writes, and he notes that Fashanu, who could have left school after last season, is the right man for the job. "An evaluator from an AFC team with over 10 years of NFL experience told me this is the deepest tackle group he can remember, and Fashanu is graded as OT1 right now, showing great mobility and quick- ness," Miller writes. "A first-year starter in 2022, Fashanu allowed zero sacks and just two pressures." Next up is Kalen King. The junior cornerback, a Detroit native, is hoping to be invited to attend the draft and sit in the green room in his hometown. ESPN thinks it's a possibility. Miller has the standout Penn State defender going No. 15 overall to the New York Giants. If so, he'd be paired with the team's first- round pick from this past year's draft, cornerback Deonte Banks. "King opposite Banks would give New York two corners with good size, great speed and plenty of playmaking skills," Miller writes. Finally, Miller also has junior defensive end Chop Robinson on his list. The second-year Nittany Lion is right behind King at No. 16 overall to the Denver Broncos. "[Coordinator] Vance Joseph's 3-4 base defense has arrived in Denver, and with it a need for standup pass-rushers," Miller writes. "Robinson (6-3, 250 pounds) is an ideal player for that profile. He has im- pressive first-step speed and the quick footwork to split blockers and win around the edge. Robinson's 5.5 sacks and 32 pressures last season have scouts already raving about his potential. 'The coaches swear he's a 4.4 or low-4.5 guy [in the 40-yard-dash] and that he's one of the hardest workers on the team,' said one AFC scout. "If those suggested testing numbers hold up, Robinson's combination of production and potential will shoot him up draft boards next April, and he'd be perfect for a team seeking a young building block at outside linebacker." — Greg Pickel Junior defensive end Chop Robinson was hailed as a likely mid-first-round pick in the NFL Draft next April. PHOTO BY FRANK HYATT Nittany Lion Threesome Tabbed As Potential First-Rounders In 2024