Seven Penn State players have been invited the 2023 NFL Combine. They are:
- DB Ji’Ayir Brown
- DL PJ Mustipher
- DB Joey Porter Jr.
- OL Juice Scruggs
- TE Brenton Strange
- WR Mitchell Tinsley
- WR Parker Washington
Brown was one of Penn State’s leaders. He ended a stellar three-year career at Penn State— he previously played two years at Lackawanna Community College— by being the Rose Bowl’s defensive MVP.
Like Brown, Mustipher was a defensive leader. This past season, Mustipher returned from an injury that cost him the last eight games of the 2021 campaign to again be a big presence at defensive tackle. More recently, Mustipher took part in this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl,along with fellow combine invitees Mustipher and Tinsley
Porter is the only player invited to the combine that’s projected to be a first-round pick. He was a unanimous first-team All-Big 10 performer this past season and would be the first Penn State cornerback to go on the first round.
Scruggs won’t be a high-round draft pick, but QB Sean Clifford described him as the “keystone” of Penn State’s offense. He overcame a life-altering car accident and ended his career with a W in Pasadena.
Strange came into his own as Penn State’s No. 1 tight end in 2022. He ended the season with 362 yards and five touchdowns (tied for the team lead) on 32 catches.
Washington and Tinsley were Penn State’s top two receivers. Washington led Penn State with 611 yards on 46 catches. Tinsley led the team in the receptions (51) and tied with Strange tied for the team-lead in touchdown receptions. Washington’s season ended prematurely. He missed Penn State’s last two regular-season games plus the Rose Bowl with an injury. Tinsley caught a touchdown in the Rose Bowl.
This year’s combine will be held Feb. 28-March 6.
Clifford is a notable Penn State name omitted from the invite list.
