We will have extensive coverage of Penn State’s Pro Day throughout the day today. Below are the official testing numbers from PSU of the Nittany Lion players who took part in workouts.
Note that DE Jayson Oweh did indeed run a faster 40 time than LB Micah Parsons, which was a fun topic of conversation entering Pro Day.
Also, if you’re among the fans wondering why Oweh has long been considered a first-round pick, even though he didn’t have great stats (no sacks) last season, you can find the answer below. You’re talking about a defensive end who’s 6-foot-5 and 257 pounds running a 4.36 40-yard dash, and with a 39.5-inch vertical leap. Those numbers are why football folks call Oweh a freak.
Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry said on the BTN broadcast that Oweh is still “a very raw football player” and that he “made tremendous strides” during his PSU career.
Parsons also had a fantastic day, as the numbers show, and that’s part of the reason why he’s a first-round talent.
Pry had this to say about Parsons on BTN:
“He’s only scratched the surface. … There’s big upside there. He’s a super talent, but he’s got a good work ethic, great instincts.”
PSU defensive end Shaka Toney called both Parsons and Oweh “freaks of nature.” Toney also said he was happy with how he did in the workouts.
Check back later for more news, notes, analysis and player videos.
Player notes
Micah Parsons
On opting out: “Honestly, I did want to come back. But my family made the decision that it was already too late.”
On competing with Oweh: “I think he had the edge on the day, but overall we competed our butts off today and showed the scouts we’re the most competitive duo in the country.”
On mock drafts: “I see them, but I don’t really pay attention to them. … The only people’s opinions that matter are the scouts, the GMs and the owners.”
Shaka Toney
He said he lost about 20-25 pounds after having COVID earlier in the year. He since has bulked back up.
Pat Freiermuth
“I think I did all I could do today to show teams that I’m recovered from my shoulder and I’m good to go.”
He said he met with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert a couple days ago. “It was a really good meeting.”
“I’m 2-3 weeks from being able to be full go” in rehab, and he said he’s a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.
One of his role models is Rob Gronkowski, but he added, “I don’t like the name Baby Gronk.”
“The Patriots have reached out early on in the process, but obviously with their tight end signings recently, they haven’t reached out a bunch. So, I talked to them early but not recently.”
Jayson Oweh
On his competition with Parsons in the 40: “Big Ten Network said that he had a 4.35, so he was, ‘I beat you.’ And then, I was like, ‘Bro, you didn’t get a 4.35.” Yeah, I think I got him on that one.”
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