Several ex-Penn State football players reunite at an annual camp

Giving back to your home community is a major goal for any football player. But being able to bring ex-teammates and NFL stars is even more impactful. That’s exactly what former Penn State football LB/DE Jesse Luketa was able to do at his first-ever 40 Reason Foundation Camp, where ex-Nittany Lions Jahan Dotson, KJ Hamler, Shaka Toney, Jonathan Sutherland, and Odafe Oweh (among se were in attendance.

Jesse Luketa paid his dues during his Penn State football career. Originally from Ottawa, Ontario Luketa played his high school football at Mercyhurst Prep in Pennsylvania. A consensus four-star talent, Luketa was the No. 8 ranked player in PA in the 2018 recruiting class according to 247Sports.

He started his career as a linebacker but ahead of his senior season, he switched to defensive end. Now, we will see Abdul Carter go through the same position change this fall. Luketa’s most productive season in Happy Valley came in 2021 when he accounted for 61 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and a pick-six.

Luketa took that production and worked himself into becoming a seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022 NFL Draft. He is still part of the Cardinals organization and he has accounted for 14 career tackles in the NFL.

Now, he’s been able to give back to his local community in Canada as he hosted the first annual 40 Reason Foundation Camp where many active NFL players and ex-Penn State football teammates of Luketa provided a helping hand.

1st Annual Camp Recap! #40rzn pic.twitter.com/CRhJLQrMK6

— Jesse Luketa 🇨🇦🇨🇩 (@OttawasVeryOwn) July 12, 2024

KJ Hamler returns to the field

Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

If you flashback to the 2019 season, one could view KJ Hamler as the next superstar in the NFL. With his breakaway speed and athleticism Hamler was on track to be special. While he went on to be a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft Hamler’s NFL career has not unfolded as many thought.

After battling various injuries including a torn ACL in 2021, Hamler has caught 42 passes for 620 yards and three touchdowns in his four-year NFL career.

However, Hamler dealt with another piece of adversity in July of 2023 when he announced that he had been diagnosed with pericarditis a rare but treatable heart condition. He spent last season on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad but in early 2024 he was signed by the Buffalo Bills. Now, Hamler will look to make the Bills 53-man roster this summer. But before digging into training camp Hamler among several others joined forces with Luketa to guide the youth in football.

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