Category: PSU in NFL

Saquon Barkley tweets suggest he’s ready for a big comeback

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has had a lot of time to focus on his return in 2021 after a torn ACL injury in 2020.

Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is ready for a return to the football field with the New York Giants in 2021. After seeing his 2020 season prematurely cut short in Week 2 of the Giants’ season, Barkley has been focusing on his rehab from a torn ACL injury. you won’t have to look for to see how Barkley is getting his fans ready for his return in 2021.

Barkley has been tweeting about his focus on his return in recent days, suggesting the best of Barkley is still to come once he is able to get back on the football field.

Responding to a tweet showing off a highlight of Barkley ripping off a long touchdown run against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019, Barkley said “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

Of course, rehabbing from a torn ACL is a lengthy process, even for today’s modern athletes. So, although Barkley has his positive momentum to share with the masses, he also knows there is still a good amount of work to go through before he will be fully ready to play football again in the NFL.

Barkley has rushed for 2,344 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first three seasons in the NFL, in a total of 31 games.

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PHOTOS: Penn State’s first round NFL draft picks since joining the Big Ten

Jayson Oweh a top pro day winner according to Pro Football Focus

Penn State defensive end Jayson Oweh continues to receive high praise for his performance at Penn State’s pro day.

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The rave reviews continue to pour in for Penn State defensive end Jayson Oweh following Penn State’s freakish pro day. Oweh, along with linebacker Micah Parsons, blew away the scouts during Penn State’s exhibition of potential NFL players readying themselves for the 2021 NFL Draft. As the pro day circuit winds to a close for NFL hopefuls around the country, the reviews are in, and Oweh may have gotten hot at the right time.

Pro Football Focus compiled a comprehensive list of what they viewed as the winners and losers of the pro day festivities. Oweh was the first name filed under the winners category.

“Oweh’s Pro Day performance was truly an all-timer,” noted Pro Football Focus. “He had the single best 40-yard dash time (4.39) as well as broad jump (11-2) of any defensive end ever in our database. And he’s not simply explosive in a straight line; his 6.84-second three-cone is an elite number, as well. He’s raw, but he has everything you could want to work with.”

The reactions to Oweh’s performance at Penn State pro day tend to be on the same page. While Micah Parsons is viewed as a possible top 10 pick,  Oweh is viewed as a tremendous athlete with plenty of opportunities to thrive at the next level even if his skills appear to be a bit raw at times. Considering he is a relatively late bloomer at a competitive position, that makes sense.

At some point, scouts and general managers in the NFL will have to decide just where Oweh ranks on their respective big boards. Updates to mock drafts are still a little unsettled on how to view the outlook for Oweh, with the Nittany Lion being viewed as a guy who could get into the first round or go as late as the third round.

But if you are a believer in draft momentum, there is no question Oweh has it riding in his favor with just weeks to go until the draft.

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PHOTOS: A look at Penn State defensive end and NFL draft prospect Jayson Oweh

Pro Day reactions: Micah Parsons still a possible top 10 pick

Following a terrific showing at Penn State’s pro day, linebacker Micah Parsons may still be worthy of a top 10 pick in the NFL draft.

Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons put on a freak show during Penn State’s recent pro day event, and it continues to solidify the chances he is drafted in the first round by some NFL team in need of a boost at the position during the 2021 NFL Draft. Based on the reaction to the pro day results from USA TODAY’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, Parsons still has as good a chance as any to be selected with a top 10 pick.

Among the many observations from pro days around the country, including Ohio State, Alabama, and Clemson, Parsons reassured any potential doubters he may have had after opting out of the 2020 season entirely. Parsons showed up looking to be in as good as shape as possible, suggesting the decision to opt out didn’t have a negative impact on his condition. But because he did opt out of the season, some may have forgotten just how gifted and athletic Parsons really is. That was the big takeaway from pro day for Middlehurst-Schwartz.

“Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons also provided a refresher on his superlative skill set after he sat out the 2020 season. He ran a receiver-like 4.39-second 40 at 6-3 and 246 pounds. Offering rare athleticism and playmaking ability, Parsons has as good a shot as anyone to be the first defensive player taken – perhaps in the top 10. “

It seems as though updated mock drafts still have Parsons going in the first half of the NFL draft, but he is trending outside the top 10 due to various trades being made and the specific team needs of franchises slotted in the top 10 not necessarily focusing on defense or linebacker. Todd McShay of ESPN recently updated his mock draft to send Parsons to the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 12 pick.

5 landing spots for Penn State’s Micah Parsons in the NFL draft

Parsons was still predicted to go to the Denver Broncos with the No. 9 pick in the most recent mock draft from Touchdown Wire. The pro day results probably will not cause him to slide much, if at all.

While Parsons is the most notable Penn State player in this year’s NFL draft pool, the intrigue surrounding defensive end Jayson Oweh continues to rise. Oweh was also on Middlehurst-Schwartz’s radar. After another impressive display at Penn State pro day, Oweh’s fate will now be up to the scouts who must counterbalance his athletic skill and potential against the fact he recorded zero sacks in a shortened 2020 season.

One number has hounded Penn State’s Jayson Oweh for much of the pre-draft process: zero, as in the number of sacks he had in 2020. Yet the hyperathletic pass rusher now might be closely tied to another number: 4.36, his astonishing 40 time. Now it’s up to talent evaluators to decide how to balance his explosiveness and straight-line speed with the lack of polish from a player who didn’t begin his football career until his junior year of high school.

Oweh will be an interesting prospect to follow leading up to and during the NFL draft. To some, Oweh could sneak into a late first-round draft pick. Or he could go as late as the third round. Unlike Parsons, there is little consistency on Oweh’s draft outlook, but he does appear to be a player moving up the big boards.

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PHOTOS: Penn State’s first round NFL draft picks since joining the Big Ten

ESPN draft expert sees Micah Parsons heading to NFC East in 2021 NFL Draft

Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons could be staying in the state to play NFL football according to Todd McShay.

The Philadelphia Eagles have never had a great track record of drafting players out of Penn State, but there is a chance the NFC East team could be adding a Nittany Lion to its draft haul this year. Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons is projected to the Eagles with the 12th overall pick according to ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay.

After seeing four quarterbacks go in the first 11 picks of the draft, McShay is mocking Parsons to the Eagles with the 12th pick, immediately after the New England Patriots trade up to 11 to select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.

McShay does feel the Eagles have a bigger need at wide receiver (they do), but this is also a franchise that has swung and missed on linebackers far too often. To have one of the top linebackers fall into their lap could be too good to pass up for the Eagles.

“The Eagles hold 11 picks this year in a draft with a deep receiver class, the 2022 first-rounder received in the trade (with the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for quarterback Carson Wentz) will certainly prove valuable, and Philly can still land a guy like Parsons here,” McShay says in his breakdown. “He can do a little bit of everything in the middle of this defense.”

The last linebacker selected in the first round by the Eagles was Brandon Graham, out of Michigan in 2010. The last Penn State linebacker to be drafted in the first round was LaVar Arrington in 2000 by Washington.

The Eagles actually drafted two Penn State players in the 2019 draft. Running back Miles Sanders was taken with the 21st pick in the second round and defensive end Shareef Miller was drafted in the fourth round by the Eagles. Prior to 2009, it had been 12 years since the Eagles drafted a Penn State player. Running back Tony Hunt was a third-round draft pick in the 2007 draft, making him just the second Penn State player at the time (tight end Tony Stewart in 2001) to be drafted by the Eagles since 1984 (Kenny Jackson).

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5 landing spots for Penn State’s Micah Parsons in the NFL draft

Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons is one of the top defensive players in the 2021 NFL Draft, but which team will draft him?

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It’s no surprise that linebacker Micah Parsons is creating some buzz a month out of the NFL Draft. He’s one of the top prospects this year and it could be argued he’ll be the first linebacker off the board in the first round.

Coming into the 2020 season, Penn State fans were excited to see Parsons back on the field after his ridiculous performance against Memphis in the Cotton Bowl. However, with players having the option to forego their season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans would have to wait to see Parsons in the NFL.

There was always a question of “How much will this hurt his draft stock?” Turns out, it didn’t matter in the slightest. Micah Parsons is a solidified a first-round talent and now we get to see which team will take a chance on him.

Let’s take a look at five teams that could land the Penn State linebacker:

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers selecting Parsons at No. 8 in the draft could be a surprise, but it shouldn’t be ruled out. Head coach Matt Rhule and his staff selected defensive players with every pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, their linebacker core is still lacking. Parsons could be the perfect fit for that Luke Kuechly type of replacement to quarterback the defense for 10-plus seasons.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule – Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers could be in the market for a quarterback, but with Teddy Bridgewater still on the team, he should be more than serviceable this upcoming season.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are the main reason for chaos so far in the offseason. After trades with the 49ers and Eagle,s they sit with the No. 6 overall pick. If the draft starts off with three or four quarterbacks being taken, the Dolphins will be left with a bunch of options.

For starters, they could grab an offensive lineman or they could draft another wide receiver for Tua Tagovailoa. It would be surprising to see the Dolphins scoop up another wideout after grabbing Will Fuller in free agency.

Dolphins head coach Brian Flores with players – USA Today Syndication: Palm Beach Post

Why the Dolphins could land their future linebacker in Micah Parsons starts with the head coach: Brian Flores. In the 3-4 defensive scheme for Miami, Parsons could act as a hybrid linebacker and create more pressure to get to the quarterback.

PHOTOS: A look at Penn State linebacker and NFL draft prospect Micah Parsons

Next: Micah Parsons chasing down Patrick Mahomes?

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NFL Mock Draft: Will Penn State TE Pat Freiermuth be Joe Burrow’s new tight end in Cincinnati?

Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth could be a perfect addition to the Cincinnati Bengals for franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.

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The NFL draft is creeping closer and closer, which means the mock draft gurus are getting better projections made for what players are going where. Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons continues to be a lock to be going in the first round but an impressive showing at Penn State’s pro day figures to only help defensive end Jayson Oweh continue to move himself up the big boards.

But the latest mock draft from Mark Schofield of Touchdown Wire has another Nittany Lion going before Oweh, and early in the second round. Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth is projected to be a second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals according to Schofield’s latest two-round mock draft. After former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer supposedly opts to go with a safety with the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ second-round pick, Freiermuth’s landing spot could be a few picks later with the Bengals, where he would become a big weapon for former Heisman Trophy winner and LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow. Not a terrible spot to be in for Freiermuth, if it plays out this way.

“Wideout could be an option here, with players like Rondale Moore and Amon-Ra. St. Brown available, but with the tight end position a concern in Cincinnati — and this position thinning out as the draft goes on — the Bengals address it now and look to add at the receiver later in the draft,” Schofield said in explaining the logic of drafting Freiermuth for the Bengals.

Meanwhile, Schofield isn’t seeing Oweh rise high enough in the NFL Draft to sniff the first round. Instead, Schofield projects Oweh heading to the Dallas Cowboys with the 44th overall pick.

“Some teams might be scared off by the lack of production in 2020 — zero sacks will do that — but turning on his film you do see how he can be a productive pass rusher off the edge in the NFL,” Schofield explained. “Plus, his incredible pro day testing is going to see his stock rise.”

Schofield did mention that pro day stock could help elevate Oweh’s draft position and there is a chance he may not be available for the Cowboys with the 44th pick.

As for Parsons, the Penn State linebacker is still being projected to go to the Denver Broncos with the No. 9 pick. The Broncos have widely been expected to be the most likely landing spot for Parsons according to multiple mock drafts that continue to be updated.

Check out the entire two-round mock draft from Touchdown Wire to see who your favorite NFL team may be drafting in April.

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PHOTOS: Penn State’s first round NFL draft picks since joining the Big Ten

What Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said about Penn State pro day

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was impressed by what he saw at Penn State’s pro day leading up to the 2021 NFL draft.

Under the direction of head coach James Franklin, Penn State football players have developed quite the reputation in NFL combine style events. The latest exhibition of NFL talent coming out of Happy Valley was in the spotlight this week with Penn State’s pro day event.

With linebacker Micah Parsons expected to be a lock for a first-round draft pick and defensive lineman Jayson Oweh continuing to surge up various big boards, Penn State’s pro day event was one to be paying close attention to in the NFL draft cycle. And with 31 NFL teams having representation in State College, the eyes of the NFL were definitely plugged in. The only NFL team not represented in Happy Valley was the Los Angeles Rams.

Among those on hand for Penn State’s pro day was Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and he certainly seemed to come away impressed with the display of talent brewing in Happy Valley.

“This is a freak show out here,” Tomlin said when reacting to Penn State’s pro day.

As noted by Steelers Wire, the Steelers have a few Penn State players that could be potential targets for the AFC franchise. Parsons and Oweh would certainly be good fits in Pittsburgh gold and black, but Pittsburgh may be in a position to make a run at tight end Pat Freiermuth as well. Considering Tomlin was joined by tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts, who ran some drills with Freiermuth at pro day, it sure looks like the Steelers could be looking to use a pick on the Nittany Lions tight end.

The Steelers have the 24th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Parsons is expected to be gone by then, but most mock drafts seem to have Oweh and Freiermuth available for sure by the time the Steelers make a pick. The Steelers also have the 55th overall pick and could use one on either Oweh or Freiermuth if still available.

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PHOTOS: Penn State’s first round NFL draft picks since joining the Big Ten

WATCH: Penn State’s Shaka Toney discusses the process leading up to pro day

Penn State’s Shaka Toney discussed the process leading up to Penn State’s pro day and dealing with COVID-19 concerns.

We are one month away from the NFL draft and teams from around the league will get one final chance to see some of the top draft prospects during their pro day events.

Penn State defensive lineman Shaka Toney spoke to the media following his workout at Penn State’s pro day and discussed the process of doing the combine-like event during COVID19 and the process leading up to today.

https://twitter.com/DaveMReports/status/1375125296278540290

During the 2020 season, Shaka Toney started all nine games, made 31 tackles (21 solo) to go along with a team-leading five sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble.

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PHOTOS: Penn State’s first round NFL draft picks since joining the Big Ten