Penn State’s Pro Day drew representatives from all 32 NFL teams on Thursday as a dozen former Nittany Lions showcased their skills to scouting personnel around the league–including the Pittsburgh Steelers. The event was headlined by Jahan Dotson, Jahan Brisker, Arnold Ebiketie, Jesse Luketa, and Brandon Smith. However, the person who turned heads with the most was former walk-on Drew Hartlaub with his tying a 40-yard dash record of 4.22.
Here are the results from Penn State’s Pro Day.
Jaquan Brisker
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 199 pounds
40: 4.43
Bench: 22 reps
Vertical: 38.5 inches
Broad: 10-4
3- Cone: 6.91
Shuttle: 4.19
The former Juco All-American used the extra year of eligibility to blossom himself into an All-American at the Power five level with his 64 tackles, pass breakups, and two interceptions. He improved from his 40 time from the NFL combine (4.49) and vertical (34.5) from last month’s combine as he hopes to be a first-round pick in April’s draft. Brisker’s pro-day numbers should back up what they see on tape and his interviews during the draft process so that goal could be achievable.
Jahan Dotson
Height: 5-10.75
Weight: 184 pounds
40: 4.43
Bench: 15 reps
Vertical: 36
Broad 10-1
3-cone: 7.28
Bench DNP
Dotson was smooth with his cuts and route running while catching passes from quarterback Sean Clifford. Dotson did not participate in any individual drills on Thursday. Dotson was the premier playmaker for the Nittany Lions the past two seasons as he hopes to be the first receiver to get drafted in the First round since 2003 when Bryan Johnson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.
Arnold Ebiketie
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 247 pounds
40: 4.65
Bench: 19 reps
Vertical: 38
Broad: 10-9
3-cone: 6.95
Shuttle: 4.24
Ebiketie transferred to Penn State as a graduate transfer in 2021 and proved to be an impact player from the transfer portal last season with 18 tackles for losses and 9.5 sacks. Scouts wanted to see him run the 40 and he did so in 4.65 seconds he also had a vertical of 38 inches. Ebiketie with his performance in this draft process will likely wind up being a worst a day two pick in next month’s draft.
Jesse Luketa
Height: 6-3
Weight: 257 pounds
40: 4.89
Bench: 18 reps
Vertical: 36.5
Broad 10-8
3-Cone: 7.29
Shuttle: 7.29
Luketa was hobbled at the combine where he ran a 40 time of 4.89 seconds. He was moved to defensive end last season when he recorded 62 tackles (8.5 tackles for losses) and impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl in drills and he did so on Thursday. Teams will pounce at a prospect like Luketa with a lot of upside in the Middle founds.
Brandon Smith
Height: 6-3
Weight: 244
40: 4.52
Bench: 20
Vertical: 37.5
Broad: 10-8
3-cone: 6.94
Shuttle: 4.08
Smith, a two-year starter and a former five-star recruit has all the physical tools to h=be a game-changing force on a football. However, Smith in some people’s eyes underachieved at times. On Thursday, he lost his footing at times during position drills. If a coaching staff can put him in the right system and keep him focused then a team will wind up getting possibly the best edge rusher in this class.
Drew Hartlaub
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
40: 4.22
Bench: DNP
Vertical: 36
Broad: 10-9
3-cone: 6.75
Shuttle: 4.15
Hartlaub impressed scouts with his speed with a 4.22 40-time on Thursday. He is a standout special teamer and reserve safety that just put himself on the radar of scouts. Hartlaub has shown the willingness to play wide receiver and possibly return kicks. He may not get drafted but a team will always need a person that can help out on special teams and his skills may be able to help out with that cause.
Derrick Tangelo
Height: 6-1.75
Weight: 296
40: 4.89
Bench: 21 reps
Vertical: 31
Broad: 9-5
3-cone: DNP
Shuttle: 4.87
Tangelo showed up to the Pro Day 12 pounds lighter than his last played and looked lighter and ran the drills better than expected. The Former Duke standout was another graduate transfer hat made an impact for Penn State last season by starting all the regular season games recording 29 tackles (5.5 tackles for loss), and two sacks.
Other Notes
Offensive tackle Rasheed Walker was still inactive at the Pro Day as he is still recovering from an undisclosed injury. Punter Jordan Stout participated in interviews but did not do any drills because he performed well at the Senior Bowl and the combine.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
