The hype machine from Bristol continues to laud this Penn State group as ESPN predicts Penn State will have the most players drafted at the 2026 NFL Draft that will be hosted in Pittsburgh.
ESPN classifies Penn State as a “Tier 1” producer of talent entering the 2025 season predicting 13 Nittany Lions will be drafted, including three first round selections.
First is Drew Allar, despite his first round status, there are some issues. The knock on Allar is his big game performances, which one anonymous NFC scout said he feels Allar has what it takes and is the only thing keeping him from being “all-in” on him.
The other two first round grades went to defensive tackle Zane Durant and cornerback AJ Harris. Durant is either considered the best interior defensive lineman or just behind Clemson’s Peter Woods. Harris is considered by many the top draft ready corner in the 2026 draft class.
Offensive tackle Drew Shelton received a second round grade, the highest amongst all the offensive lineman. Guard Vega Ioane and center Nick Dawkins received a mix of Day 2/Day 3 grades.
Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen got mixed grades as well, with Singleton primarily seen as a Day 2 pick and Allen a Day 3 pick.
EDGE rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton received a second round grade, he will look to become the fourth Nittany Lion defensive end to be selected in the first round since 2021 (Odafe Oweh – 2021, Chop Robinson – 2024, Abdul Carter – 2025).
If ESPN’s prediction is accurate, it would tie for the most selected in a single draft with the 1987 NFL Draft class which also sent 13 Nittany Lions to the NFL.
Other predictions were:
Right tackle: Nolan Rucci – Day 2/3
Wide receiver: Trebor Pena – Day 3
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Wide receiver: Kyron Hudson – Day 3
Wide receiver: Devonte Ross – Day 3
Safety: Zakee Wheatley – Day 2
Linebacker: Amare Campbell – Day 3
Linebacker: Tony Rojas – Day 3
