FOOTBALL

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

The Nittany Lions showed up and showed out for the NFL’s top scouts at the combine.

Published

3 weeks ago

March 7, 2023

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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FOOTBALL

Sean Clifford has some bold statements ahead of the NFL Draft

On Friday, Sean Clifford had some bold statements ahead of the NFL Draft in mid-April.

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2023

CJ Mangum

Penn State veteran Sean Clifford, Penn State football

Sep 17, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) takes a snap during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — On Friday, the Penn State Nittany Lions held their pro day at the school’s football facilities. There, 6-year Penn State football quarterback Sean Clifford made an impact on pro scouts, and made some bold claims about his combine snub and NFL hopes. Whether you love him or hate him, Penn State veteran Sean Clifford believes in himself, and believes that he is ready for what professional football has for him.

Penn State veteran Sean Clifford believes that he is ready for for the NFL

Here is some of what Penn State veteran Sean Clifford had to say during his pro day performance on Friday.

“I feel like I was snubbed with the Combine for sure,” Clifford said. “The body of work that I’ve had with these teams here; when I didn’t see my name as a Combine guy, I felt disrespected for sure. But, hey, it’s just more fuel to the fire.

“Being able to come out here, show the scouts what I got, and being able to really just put on a show, it’s been a lot of fun, and a good way to cap off a great career at Penn State. So I’m really thankful.”

Sean Clifford has an impressive body of work with Penn State football

During his six years in State College, Penn State veteran Sean Clifford broke numerous Penn State football records — such as passing yards, passing touchdowns, and more. Additionally, Clifford became the winningest Penn State quarterback of all-time, compiling a 33-15 record and two New Year’s Six bowls during his four seasons as a starter.

When asked how he through his pro day went, Penn State veteran Sean Clifford claimed that it went “Really well … Especially getting out there and being able to show my speed. I think that’s something I really wanted to come in and kind of re-prove. I know that I’ve shown speed on film. But I wanted to come out here and post a good time. So being able to post a 4.57[-second 40-yard-dash], I’m proud of that number.”

Now that his pro day has passed, Sean Clifford has his attention on getting into the NFL — he will likely be signed after the draft as not many teams are in need of a 24-year-old quarterback. Still, he believes that all he needs is a chance.

“I just need to be in a camp,” Clifford said. “I just need to be able to be in a practice with the pros. Because I know I’m a pro, [and] I know I can come in and add value to a team. I know that more than anything. I still think that I can play in the [NFL], 100 percent, provide to a team, win games, the same way I did here.

“So it’s just being able to come out, talk to as many scouts as possible, get to know some coaches. It’s just being able to get around a bunch of teams, because I truly feel like no matter where I’m at, I could add a substantial amount of value.”

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FOOTBALL

Penn State quarterback room dips in annual ESPN rankings

The Nittany Lions are a few spots down from where the 2022 QB room ranked.

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2023

CJ Mangum

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Ahead of every college football season, ESPN ranks the top quarterback rooms in the sport. Seeing as QB is the most important position on the field, this ranking is a pretty important indication of how a team’s offense will perform throughout the year — ESPN ranks the entire room, not just the team’s starting quarterback. This week, ESPN released its 2023 QB rankings, and the Nittany Lions — led by sophomore Drew Allar — found themselves a few spots lower than they did a season ago.

Where did Penn State football rank in 2022?

With Sean Clifford and Drew Allar headlining Penn State’s quarterback room in 2022, ESPN ranked the Nittany Lions at No. 11 nationally a season ago. After winning the Rose Bowl and finishing 11-2 overall, Penn State football lost two of its three QBs from the 2022 room — Sean Clifford is graduating, and Christian Veilleux has entered the transfer portal.

With only Drew Allar remaining from last year’s room, many thought that this preseason dip in the rankings was inevitable; after all, no one has truly seen Allar or Pribula play ball yet.

Where do Drew Allar and Penn State fall in the 2023 QB rankings?

This year, Penn State comes in at No. 15 nationally in the 2023 QB rankings — just four spots down from last year’s rankings despite losing 2/3 of the room and a veteran starting quarterback. With the nation’s No. 1 recruit from 2022 — Drew Allar — at the helm this year, Penn State fans are hoping for much bigger and better than what the program got under Sean Clifford.

Behind Drew Allar is fellow sophomore Beau Pribula, who has been turning heads during spring ball this far, and could find himself a stand alone role on the Penn State offense this year. According to James Franklin, his most attractive trait is that he boasts an opposite skillset than what Sean Clifford and Drew Allar have.

Behind Pribula at QB3 is true freshman Jackson Smolik.

What is the expectation for Allar & Co. this year?

After four years of Sean Clifford, all Penn State fans are ready to turn the page. While Clifford’s teams had some great seasons — such as 2019 and 2022 which both won 11 games and New Year’s Six bowls — he was never enough to get the Nittany Lions to the next level. Now, Penn State needs to get more from the massive Drew Allar and his counterparts.

As I have written before, the Penn State Nittany Lions do not need Allar to be elite in 2023 to make the CFP. That being said, if Penn State wants to win a national title, elite is the only thing that can be expected of Drew Allar. We will know a lot more about this year’s offense on September 2nd when Penn State kicks off its 2023 season at home against West Virginia; for now, the expectations for Allar and Co. are all over the place.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

FOOTBALL

Penn State needs KeAndre Lambert-Smith to be a true No. 1, Franklin says

The Nittany Lions need their veteran wide receiver to be one of the best in the Big Ten this year.

Published

3 days ago

March 22, 2023

CJ Mangum

Penn State football KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Nov 27, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (13) runs after a catch during the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Heading into the 2023 season, the Penn State Nittany Lions are losing some solid talent at the wide receiver position. A season ago, standouts like Parker Washington, Mitchell Tinsley, and Brenton Strange were some of Sean Clifford’s favorite targets; however, as we turn the page to a brand new season this fall, Penn State football will be without all three of these pass-catchers. In year one of the Drew Allar era, head coach James Franklin claims that the Nittany Lions need KeAndre Lambert-Smith to be a true No. 1 receiver.

Penn State football news KeAndre Lambert-Smith to be a true No. 1 receiver

The Penn State football team is looking solid at wide receiver right now despite all of its departures from the 2022 squad. The Nittany Lions managed to add two solid receivers from the transfer portal and still have some in-house talent that they can fall back on. That being said, Penn State needs one man to go above and beyond this year: KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

A season ago, Lambert-Smith caught 24 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns — his best performance of the year came against No. 8 Utah in the Rose Bowl game on January 2nd; there, he hauled in three passes for 124 yards and a touchdown during the Nittany Lions’ 14-point win over the Utes. After the Rose Bowl performance, KeAndre Lambert-Smith claimed that, while the 11-2 season was nice, Penn State football is looking for bigger and better in 2023.

James Franklin says Lambert-Smith needs to be a top performer in the Big Ten, not just at Penn State

Here is what head coach James Franklin had to say about KeAndre Lambert-Smith during his media availability on Tuesday afternoon:

“He’s been really good so far this spring,” Franklin said. “We need him to be THE guy, a true number one [receiver], not just at Penn State but really in the [Big Ten] and a guy that people are talking about nationally.”

James Franklin added that Penn State is still figuring out some depth issues when it comes to the wideout room. “There is going to be a competition really with all of [Penn State’s receivers] — I think that is probably one of the big question marks between now and the first game.”

After an incredible 2022 season, the Penn State football team is looking for even better results from its offense. Right now, the quarterback, running back, offenisve line, and tight ends all appear to be somewhat in place; however, as the spring goes on, the Lions must figure out who will start and who will sit when it comes to their receivers. The one thing that we do know for sure: KeAndre Lambert-Smith is going to be a crucial factor in Penn State’s passing game this fall.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.