Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534903
1 2 M A Y 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M S tarting with Saquon Barkley in 2018, Penn State has had eight players chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft during the James Franklin coaching era. That includes two players apiece in 2021 (linebacker Micah Parsons, defensive end Odafe Oweh), 2024 (offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, defensive end Chop Robinson) and 2025 (defensive end Abdul Carter, tight end Tyler Warren). It's highly likely that the Nittany Lions will add more players to that list in 2026. Here's a closer look at some of the candidates to hear their names called in next year's first round, which will take place April 23 in Pittsburgh. QB Drew Allar If the senior performs as he hopes and expects this fall, he is all but assured of landing somewhere in the first round. Some NFL player personnel experts thought he could have gone in the first round this year after leading the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinals, but he had already elected to return to school and stuck with his plan. In a way-too-early 2026 mock draft published shortly after this year's draft concluded, USA Today's Michael Middlehurst- Schwartz had Allar going first overall to the Cleveland Browns. "Allar isn't the clearcut front-runner to go No. 1, but the Me- dina, Ohio, native possesses several qualities that could make him a hometown hero in this scenario," Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. "The 6-5, 238-pounder exhibits truly elite arm strength that he can unleash in a moment's notice, both from the pocket and on the run. While he still has to grow more consistent with his footwork and anticipation, he could claim the top spot on draft boards if he makes another significant leap comparable to the one he took last season." Josh Edwards of CBSSports.com also has Allar going to the Browns, albeit with the second overall pick. "Allar is an unrefined product, but he has a lot of traits that will appeal to NFL teams," Edwards noted. Through three college seasons — two of which he's spent as Penn State's starter — Allar has completed 530 of 843 passes (62.9 percent) for 6,302 yards, 53 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. RBs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen Penn State essentially has co-starters at running back, and both have first-round potential. Over the years, running backs have been devalued at the NFL level, meaning that few teams have been willing to use first-round picks to shore up their backfields. Nevertheless, there were two runners chosen in the first round of this year's draft, with Boise State's Ashton Jeanty going sixth overall to the Las Vegas Raiders and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton going 22nd to the Los Angeles Chargers. So, maybe times are changing. Singleton and Allen, both seniors, will be playing behind a veteran offensive line this fall, and they'll be working with new position coach Stan Drayton, who has a history of developing pro-caliber running backs. Middlehurst-Schwartz has Singleton going 26th overall to the Washington Commanders — eight spots below Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love. "With Washington fully embracing its expedited arrival to the NFC's contending class by making bold moves to support Jayden Daniels while the quarterback is on a rookie contract, why not take another stab at trying to put the offense over the top?" he wrote. "While Brian Robinson Jr. — who is entering the final year of his rookie contract — has been reliable, Singleton would change the complexion of the Commanders' attack with his breakaway speed while still maintaining the power and versatility to be a three-down threat." DE Dani Dennis-Sutton The NFL loves big, fast, talented edge rushers. Dennis-Sutton fits the bill. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound senior is coming off an in- jury that cost him all of spring ball, but he's expected to be ready Lions Will Have More First-Round Hopefuls In 2026 G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M Senior quarterback Drew Allar is being hailed as a potential high-first-round pick by draft analysts looking ahead to next year's selection process. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS