Penn State Players Invited to 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

The official list of players who have an invitation to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine has come out, and ten Penn State players are among them. Some players have a higher draft stock than others, but this is all of their chance to make an impression. Here is a look at the ten Penn State players.

Penn State Players Invited to NFL Combine

There are ten former Penn State players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Here is a look at each player, organized by position. Take a look at their time with the Nittany Lions, and what their current draft stock is.

Tight Ends

Theo Johnson

Theo Johnson is the lone Penn State tight end invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Johnson’s first season with the Nittany Lions was in 2020. Johnson played in just seven games that season, but over the years his play time increased. In his four years with the Nittany Lions, Johnson totaled 77 receptions for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. Johnson is a clutch receiver who can make the needed plays when the ball goes in his direction.

Johnson can potentially be a late-round steal for teams. NFL Draft Buzz ranks Johnson as the seventh-best tight end in this draft. Penn State used him as a receiver often, but he can grow as a blocker. Right now his draft projection is in the fifth round. A team that needs a top tight end to come in immediately may not draft him, but he would be a strong pickup for a team in need of a younger tight end, or solid depth.

Offensive Line

Hunter Nourzad

Hunter Nourzad is one of the three Penn State offensive linemen invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Nourzad began his collegiate career at Cornell. This was from 2018 until 2021. In 2022, he joined the Penn State Nittany Lions being named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention by the coaches and media, according to Penn State Athletics.

Nourzad is not one of the top linemen in this year’s draft. As of now, his projection is in the seventh round. He could also be a high-priority undrafted free agent. He is a player who will need to impress scouts at the combine to increase his stock. If a team has a center that they may not be able to re-sign soon or will be retiring soon, Nourzad could be a good fit there. He could take the chance to learn from veterans before stepping in, or become a clutch backup.

Olumuyiwa Fashanu

Olumuyiwa Fashanu will be one of the first, if not the first, offensive lineman taken in this year’s draft. He could have gone to the NFL last year but chose to play one more season with the Nittany Lions. His first season with Penn State was in 2020, though he did not see any game action. In 2023, Fashanu was named first-team All-Big Ten honors by the coaches and media, according to Penn State Athletics. Fashanu has not allowed a sack in his three years starting, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2023 he did not allow one hit, just ten hurries.

As stated, Fashanu will be one of the first linemen off the draft board. Any team in need of a left tackle will want Fashanu on their team. It would not be a surprise if a team trades up for the former Nittany Lion if they feel he will not drop far enough for them to be able to grab him.

Caedan Wallace

Caedan Wallace is the third and final Penn State offensive lineman invited to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. Wallace’s first season with the Nittany Lions was in 2019, but he was redshirted. Wallace did receive an invite to the Shrine Bowl and will get another chance to improve his draft stock.

As of now, Wallace is projected to drop to be an undrafted free agent. There is a chance that in the combine he can impress NFL teams, and potentially move up to be a late-round selection. He is a player that a team can develop, and be solid depth if given the chance.

Defensive Line

Adisa Isaac

There are two defensive linemen invited to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. Isaac’s time with Penn State goes back to 2019 as a true freshman. Isaac did not play in 2021, giving him a fifth year with the Nittany Lions. In his five years, Isaac had 92 combined tackles, 47 solo, 14.5 sacks, and 31.5 tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also had two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He is a dominant player that is only getting better.

Isaac has a chance to be drafted pretty early this year. Pre-Scouting Combine, Isaac can go in the second round, especially if the position is going quickly. NFL Draft Buzz has Isaac as the fifth defensive end in this year’s Draft. Anything can happen on draft day and his name will be one to watch early on.

Chop Robinson

Demeioun (Chop) Robinson began with Maryland in 2021 before joining the Nittany Lions in 2022. With Maryland, Robinson was a linebacker but became more of a defensive end with Penn State. Following his one year with Maryland and two with Penn State, Robinson is off to the draft. In his three seasons, Robinson had 60 combined tackles, 43 solo, and 20 tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. He also had 11.5 sacks. As for turnovers, Robinson had three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Robinson is a force on the field. Currently, his draft projection is early in the second round. It will depend on team needs and where the other defensive ends go. He could potentially be taken late in the first round, especially if the combine goes well for him.

Linebackers

Curtis Jacobs

Penn State is known to produce strong linebackers, and Curtis Jacobs is the next one. Jacob’s first season with the Nittany Lions was in 2020 as a true freshman. In four seasons, Jacob’s had 171 combined tackles, 105 solo, 24 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks, according to Sports Reference. As for turnovers, the linebacker has had one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. In 2022, one of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown.

Jacobs is not a player to expect on day one, and probably not on day two either. There are simply other linebackers in this year’s draft that are of a higher ranking. Even if he is a day three draft pick, he will not be a bad pickup at all. He can develop into a solid NFL player and go down as a steal in the draft. According to NFL Draft Buzz, his draft projection is in the sixth round. He will have a chance to increase his draft stock during this year’s combine.

Defensive Backs

Johnny Dixon

Johnny Dixon is one of the three defensive backs in this year’s NFL Draft from Penn State. Dixon had to step up this year because Joey Porter Jr. was taken in last year’s draft. Dixon spent 2019 and 2020 at South Carolina before joining Penn State. In three years at Penn State, Dixon defended 15 passes, and had 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, according to Sports Reference. He also had two forced fumbles and three interceptions.

Dixon’s successful 2023 season will help him in this year’s draft. He also received a Senior Bowl invite. As of now, his draft projection is in the fourth round. His speed and instincts make him a solid player that any team could use. There are other corners in this year’s draft that will be taken higher but that should not take away from Dixon’s ability. He could prove valuable to a team with some development.

Daequan Hardy

Daequan Hardy is another defensive back with a chance to attend the Combine. Hardy made a name for himself this season with his punt returns. 2019 was his true freshman season, appearing in just two games for the Nittany Lions. In his time with the Nittany Lions, Hardy totaled 19 passes defended, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, according to Sports Reference. As for turnovers, Hardy had one forced fumble and five interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. This season, Hardy returned 17 punts, two returning for touchdowns.

Hardy has a chance to go in the later rounds of this year’s draft. There is a chance for the seventh round, according to NFL Draft Buzz. What will help Hardy’s draft stock is his ability to return punts. Teams may select him for that reason alone, with the cornerback abilities as a plus. Any team with a need at special teams could select Hardy. He will be one of the former Penn State players to keep an eye on in the draft this year.

Kalen King

Kalen King is the tenth player who has a chance to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. He became the team’s top cornerback this year. Of the three defensive backs from the Nittany Lions, he will be the one to watch for first. As a true freshman in 2021, King was able to step up for the defense. In three years with Penn State, King defended 25 passes and had 5.5 tackles for loss, according to Sports Reference. As for turnovers, King has forced two fumbles, recovered one, and had three interceptions.

King will be a name to watch in the draft this year. There are a couple of players still higher than him, but he will most likely be a second-round selection. King is a strong player who will be able to step up for an NFL team when the time comes. His anticipation for the ball placement is a strength of his. His weakness is known to be his slow reaction time, according to NFL Draft Buzz. That is something that he can work on as he develops as a player.

These former Penn State players will get another chance to show NFL scouts why they should draft them. The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine will take place from February 27th until March 4th. The 2024 NFL Draft will take place from April 25th until April 27th.