How did the Nittany Lions fare in this year’s NFL Combine?

Combine week has come and gone, which means draft season is in full swing. After a strong 2022 campaign and a massive Rose Bowl win, seven Nittany Lions were invited to participate in this year’s NFL Combine. Let’s take a look at how each Penn Stater fared over the last week. 

PJ Mustipher, defensive tackle

• Height – 6’4”
• Weight – 320 lbs.
• Arm – 32 ¼” 
• Hand – 9” 
• 40-yd Dash – 5.41 sec. (1.88 10-yd split) 
• Vertical Jump – 27.5”
• Broad Jump – 8’0”
• 3-Cone – 8.01 sec.
• 20-yd Shuttle – 5.03 sec.
• Bench – 19 reps

Musipher’s measurements were all above the average when put against the other defensive linemen participating; however, he ranked in the lower percentile when it came to the on-field NFL Combine tests. His 40 time ranked 15th in his group, with his 10-yard split ranking 14th. He ranked 9th in his 20-yd shuttle time. 

Joey Porter Jr., cornerback

• Height – 6’2 ½”
• Weight – 193 lbs.
• Arm – 34”
• Hand – 10”
• 40-yd Dash – 4.46 sec. (1.5 10-yd split) 
• Vertical Jump – 35”
• Broad Jump – 10’9”
• Bench – 17 reps

Many analysts project that Penn State standout corner Joey Porter Jr. will be one of the first corners off the board, with most projections having him going in the mid-first round. Though his projections are high, some would’ve expected him to perform better in the on-field tests. His vertical ranked 18th among corners, while his broad jump ranked 12th. Despite this, he is still ranked as one of the top prospects, coming in with the 9th best prospect grade of 81. 

Ji’Ayir Brown, safety

• Height – 5’11”
• Weight – 203 lbs.
• Arm – 31 ¼”
• Hand – 10 ⅛”
• 40-yd Dash – 4.65 sec. (1.56 10-yd split) 
• Vertical Jump – 32.5”
• Broad Jump – 9’11”
• Bench – 18 reps

Brown performed really well in the on-field tests during the NFL Combine, ranking highly in many categories. His bench ranked 7th among safeties and his 10-yard split ranked 12th. His Next Gen Stats production score of 89 is the highest amongst all safeties, and his prospect grade has him ranked 2nd. 

Parker Washington, wide receiver

• Height – 5’10”
• Weight – 204 lbs.
• Arm – 29”
• Hand – 10 ⅛”
• Bench – 16 reps

Washington did not participate in any of the on-field drills during combine week, as he is still working on healing from the injury he sustained towards the end of the 2022 season. He still participated in the bench, ranking 8th among receivers. 

Mitchell Tinsley, wide receiver

• Height – 6’0”
• Weight – 199 lbs. 
• Arm – 32 ⅜”
• Hand – 10”
• 40-yd Dash – 4.60 sec. (1.53 10-yd split) 
• Vertical Jump – 35.5”
• Broad Jump – 10’0”
• 20-yd Shuttle – 4.21 sec. 
• Bench – 14 reps

Tinsley, who transferred to Penn State from Western Kentucky in 2022, had a good showing during the NFL Combine. His 20-yard shuttle ranked 5th among receivers, and his bench ranked 10th. 

Brenton Strange, tight end

• Height – 6’4”
• Weight – 253 lbs.
• Arm – 31 ⅛”
• Hand – 9 ⅝”
• 40-yd Dash – 4.70 sec. (1.57 10-yd split) 
• Vertical Jump – 36”
• Broad Jump – 10’4”
• 3-Cone – 7.25 sec.
• 20-yd Shuttle – 4.46 sec.
• Bench – 23 reps

Strange’s numbers in the on-field drills definitely caught people’s eye. His draft-stock was definitely raised after his 40 time, and a 10-yard split ranked second among tight ends. His 23 reps in the bench was tied for 1st among tight ends, tying with Old Dominion’s Zack Kuntz, who transferred there from Penn State in 2021. 

Juice Scruggs, center

• Height – 6’3”
• Weight – 301 lbs.
• Arm – 33 ¼”
• Hand – 10 ¼”
• 40-yd Dash – 5.22 sec. (1.79 10-yd split) 
• Vertical Jump – 32”
• Broad Jump – 8’6”
• 3-Cone – 7.75 sec.
• 20-yd Shuttle – 4.82 sec. 
• Bench – 29 reps

Scruggs performed well during Sunday’s on-field tests. His numbers were among the average for  offensive linemen. His athleticism definitely caught people’s eye, with his Next Gen Stats athleticism score of 78 ranking 2nd among centers. His vertical ranked 6th among OL. His 29 reps on the bench was tied for fourth among offensive linemen, tying with Michigan’s Olu Oluwatimi and Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. 

Overall, the Nittany Lions were well-represented and performed well during the NFL Combine. All of Penn State’s draft prospects will have another opportunity to wow teams and scouts at the Penn State Pro Day — the date is still TBA. Other prospects that will get an opportunity to show off their skills at Pro Day, who were not invited to the combine, include kicker Jake Pinegar, defensive end Nick Tarburton, and quarterback Sean Clifford.

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