Penn State is gearing up for what it hopes will be one of the most successful seasons under head coach James Franklin. And with the roster it has ready to hit the field, it is easy to understand why. Penn State has a defense with true star power from the front to the back of the field, a dynamic rushing combo coming off stellar freshman seasons, and one of the best offensive lines Franklin has ever had in State College. And, according to ESPN, this roster is one of the most ripe of NFL draft talent for the 2024 NFL draft.
ESPN took the top 10 college football programs and placed them in tiers based on how much NFL draft talent is on the roster for the 2024 NFL draft. Penn State was placed in terrific company in ESPN’s highest tier. ESPN placed Penn State in Tier 1 along with fellow Big Ten foes Michigan and Ohio State and two-time defending national champion Georgia. Michigan and Ohio State were listed first, followed by Penn State, and then Georgia.
The return of offensive tackle [autotag]Olu Fashanu[/autotag] for the 2023 season is a big reason why Penn State is in prime NFL draft territory. ESPN believes Fashanu will challenge to be the school’s highest-drafted offensive lineman in program history, noting that Levi Brown currently holds that title as the no. 5 pick in 2007. Fashanu would have likely been a first-round draft pick in 2023 if he declared for the draft. He continues to be hyped as a first-round talent and many expect him to be among the top offensive linemen off the board in 2024, as long as everything goes to plan this season.
But the roster has other draft prospects to complement his return. Cornerback [autotag]Kalen King[/autotag] is perhaps the next-best draft prospect if he opts for the draft in 2024 rather than return for a fourth season. ESPN says King would be among the top cornerbacks in the draft pool in 2024 if he declares.
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Defensive end [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] is another player of note as well. Robinson has been viewed as a potential first-round draft pick by some this offseason, but he is certainly a player worth watching in the draft process as he continues to dominate on the edge for the Nittany Lions. And given Penn State’s track record of developing defensive linemen, Robinson is certainly a prospect on the rise.
ESPN also highlighted linebacker [autotag]Curtis Jacobs[/autotag] as a sleeper prospect on the roster. Sophomore Abdul Carter may be the star linebacker on the roster, but Jacobs is easily in a position to become a draftable player as the veteran at the position.
The biggest game on Penn State’s schedule that will be the ultimate showcase for Penn State’s draft talent is the road game at Ohio State, which ESPN highlighted. Considering the amount of NFL talent on the Buckeyes roster, Penn State’s top draft prospects will be put to the test. Kalen King will be in the spotlight against one of the nation’s top wide receivers in Marvin Harrison Jr., whom EPSN profiles as Ohio State’s top draft prospect. That one-on-one matchup will be fascinating to watch play out in October.
It is interesting to note the most important game on Michigan’s schedule as far as their draft prospects are concerned is Michigan’s road trip to Penn State, which would seem to make some sense. Micigan also plays Ohio State, of course, but the road game environment could be a stiffer challenge to see how Michigan’s top draft prospects perform under pressure in a tough environment.
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