Tag: Caedan Wallace

Report: Penn State OT prospect visiting Patriots on top-30 visit

The Patriots are amping up their offensive tackle search with another rookie prospect coming on a top-30 visit

The New England Patriots are among multiple teams set for a top-30 visit with Penn State’s Caedan Wallace, per The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Wallace was a mainstay on the Penn State offensive line, starting three years at the right tackle position. He was an All-Big Ten honorable mention and was given the Lion’s Pride Outstanding Senior Player Award. He garnered accolades during preseason as well, being named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List.

Wallace has a 6.23 prospect grade and is projected by NFL.com to be an average starter. He had an athleticism score of 81 during the NFL Scouting Combine, which ranked eighth amongst all offensive tackles.

Offensive tackle is undoubtedly a key position of need for New England, especially with the departure of Trent Brown. Wallace would be able to provide some form of stability on a positional unit that did not have much of it last year.

49ers have top-30 visit with underrated OT prospect

The #49ers had a 30 visit with a really interesting tackle prospect who could be the team’s next late-round gem.

The 49ers have options in this year’s draft. Offensive tackle remains their most glaring need, but it’s not a slam dunk that they go that route with their first pick. It’s also not out of the question they take multiple players at that position to give themselves as many options as possible while building out an offensive line.

Penn State’s Caedan Wallace is a later-round OT candidate who would make a ton of sense for San Francisco, and they’re hosting him on a top-30 visit according to the Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Wallace won’t make his way into any Day 1 mock drafts. He may not even land in a Day 2 mock. As Day 3 prospects go though it’s easy to see how the 49ers could quickly fall in love with Wallace given their situation at right tackle.

In five seasons with the Nittany Lions, Wallace started 40 of the 47 games he played at right tackle. He checks all the size boxes at 6-5, 314 pounds with 34-inch arms. His athleticism won’t blow any coaches away, but Wallace has enough of a well-rounded skill set that the lack of elite athleticism shouldn’t make him an unplayable pro.

While Wallace grades out as a mostly average run blocker per Pro Football Focus, he allowed just one sack and 13 pressures in pass protection last season. In 2022 he gave up one sack and 12 pressures. The two sacks and 25 pressures across his final two college seasons were a massive improvement over the five sacks and 35 pressures he gave up just in the 2021 campaign.

That improvement, combined with his experience and size make Wallace the kind of prospect who could definitely compete for a starting right tackle job right away. If he’s unable to do that, there’s plenty to build on if the 49ers want to develop him for either a future starting job, or a spot as a swing tackle in a deeper version of San Francisco’s offensive front.

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Best photos of NFL draft offensive line prospect Caedan Wallace from Penn State

Here are some of the best photos of NFL draft hopeful Caedan Wallace during his time with Penn State.

Penn State is set to have up to three offensive linemen drafted by an NFL team in the 2024 NFL draft. Olu Fashanu will be the star of the bunch but [autotag]Caedan Wallace[/autotag] looks primed and ready to grab an NFL job and assert himself as a reliable lineman for years to come.

Wallace earned All-Big Ten honorable mentions following the 2023 season and the New Jersey native was recognized by his teammates and coaches as one of the top senior players on the roster last season. Wallace started all 13 games at right tackle for Penn State during the 2023 season, and he allowed just one sack in 359 pass blocking opportunities.

Here is a look at one of Penn State’s draft hopefuls during his college football playing days in Happy Valley.

Penn State NFL draft prospect stock watch: Caedan Wallace

Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace could benefit from a lack of depth in this year’s NFL draft.

There has been a common refrain among NFL analysts, coaches, and fans over the past few years that it’s hard to find quality offensive linemen. So many teams struggle to put together a solid 5-man unit each season, and it has driven up the price of even mediocre players in free agency. Just look at how much money was spent on guards in free agency this season, and it’s clear teams are not comfortable relying on draft picks to step in early.

Penn State will be sending the NFL an elite left tackle in [autotag]Olu Fashanu[/autotag], but his partner on the right side is looking to make a name for himself as well. [autotag]Caedan Wallace[/autotag] is a very experienced starter with over 2,000 college snaps as a right tackle. He had his best overall season in 2023, forming one of the better tackle duos in college football with Fashanu.

He started the draft season on a high note, being invited to the East West Shrine Bowl. He was able to show the versatility to play guard despite never playing there at Penn State, as well as playing snaps at left tackle. He earned an NFL combine invite where he tested very well.

 

His agility numbers at Penn State’s pro day were disappointing, but his lack of foot speed was already well-known by scouts. Where he stands out is his length and power despite his shorter frame. That length in particular makes it possible for him to stick at tackle at the next level. I believe he has a higher ceiling at guard, but that versatility should improve his chances of playing early.

Wallace’s stock spiked after his Shrine Bowl invite, but he hasn’t been inside the consensus top 200 prospects in months according to NFL Mock Draft Database. I think the NFL will be higher on him with the lack of linemen with his amount of experience, but he looks like a mid-to-late day 3 pick.

Stock: Down

How to watch the NFL combine: Sunday, March 3

Olu Fashanu headlines the final day of the NFL combine as offensive linemen hit the field.

The NFL combine wraps up this year’s event in Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon when the nation’s top offensive linemen go through the combine circuit. Among those participating in the final day of the combine will be Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, a potential top-10 draft pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. But he will not be the only Penn State linemen in action today. Caedan Wallace and Hunter Nourzad will hope to give their draft stock a boost as well.

Here is everything you need to know about the NFL combine for today and what to watch from the former Penn State players in attendance for the day’s workouts.

2024 NFL combine: Tracking the results of Penn State’s prospects

We are keeping tabs on all of the NFL combine results of Penn State players in Indianapolis.

Penn State sent 10 players to this year’s NFL combine in Indianapolis and it did not take long to leave a mark on the NFL scouting world. Defensive end Chop Robinson set the combine on fire with his 40-yard dash time as he looked to improve his outlook for a potential first-round draft pick. So the first day of the combine was quite electric for Penn State football going to the next level.

Olu Fashanu is Penn State’s top draft prospect in the 2024 NFL draft. Adisa Isaac and Curtis Jacobs were among the players looking to follow up strong showings in the college football all-star games after the season. Meanwhile, Kalen King was a player looking to redeem his draft profile a bit after a shaky finish to the season and all-star game performance.

Here is a quick rundown of how every Penn State player at the NFL combine measured up and performed.

Here are all 10 of Penn State’s 2024 NFL combine invitees

Here is a quick look at each of the 10 Penn State football players invited to this year’s NFL combine.

Penn State players have developed a strong reputation for showing up strong at the NFL combine and at the school’s annual pro day event. This year will see 10 Penn State players head to Indianapolis for the NFL’s most important exhibition of skill before the draft this spring.

Among those invited to the combine this year from Penn State include offensive tackle Olu Fashanu and defensive end Chop Robinson. Both players are considered first-round talents, with Fashanu projected by some to go within the first 10 picks of the draft. Robinson is expected to be a later first-round draft pick, but a strong showing at the combine could help solidify his first-round projections.

The combine will be a big opportunity for a couple of players to follow up strong showings in the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl in January, and for a few others to redeem themselves a bit after not having those all-star events go according to plan.

The 2024 NFL combine will be held from Monday, February 26 through Monday, March 4 in Indianapolis. Here is a look at each of the 10 Pen State players invited to the NFL combine this year.

Shrine Bowl sees Caedan Wallace’s NFL draft stock on the rise

Penn State’s Caedan Wallace was recognized as one of the top performers at the Shrine Bowl.

Penn State is expected to see one member of its offensive line be a lock for a first-round draft pick this spring with Olu Fashanu potentially going in the first 10 picks of the draft. But another member of the offensive line turned in a solid week in the East-West Shrine Bowl to see his chances of being drafted become more and more solid.

[autotag]Caedan Wallace[/autotag] was a standout winner from this week’s Shrine Bowl according to some scouts and analysts attending the college football all-star game in Texas this week. Wallace was featured in some very positive highlights making the rounds on social media and he was singled out among 15 top performers from the week by Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic.

“He was consistently one of the quickest tackles off the snap in run drills early in the week with pads on, and while he’ll occasionally lunge or fall off a block in the run game, there’s a ton to like here,” Baumgardner said of Wallace in a story on The Athletic (subscription required). “Wallace measured in with 33 5/8-inch arms and 10 1/2-inch hands and showed the second-highest max acceleration GPS number of any offensive lineman.”

Wallace may not have proven to be an early-round draft pick off this one week, but the projected late-round pick may have helped solidify his chances of being drafted rather than risk floating into the undrafted free-agent pool.

Of course, Wallace will still have to prove himself a bit to cement himself as a draft pick this spring. He will get a chance to showcase his skills one more time at Penn State’s pro day, and potentially at the NFL Combine if he is fortunate to receive an invite to the NFL’s top scouting event leading up to the draft.

Wallace was used as right guard in the Shrine Bowl this week, perhaps an indication of where he will be desired at the next level, although that can change at any time. Penn State used Wallace at the tackle position, but these types of events tend to find the more suitable spots for players in the NFL with NFL coaches running the show.

Wallace was on the East roster with Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower serving as head coach, Arizona Cardinals passing game coordinator Drew Terrrell acting as the offensive coordinator, and New York Jets offensive line coach Ben Wilkerson and Tennessee Titans offensive assistant Luke Stocker serving as offensive line coaches.

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How to watch the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl: Four Penn State players set to play

Curtis Jacobs and Daequan Hardy among four Nittany Lions participating in 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday night. Here is how to watch.

One of college football’s longest-running all-star games, the East-West Shrine Bowl, will offer a chance for many college football players to suit up one last time and perform in front of NFL draft scouts ahead of the NFL draft. This year’s game will feature a handful of Penn State players from the 2023 team after putting on some impressive performances in practices this week.

Penn State linebacker [autotag]Curtis Jacobs[/autotag] and cornerback [autotag]Daequan Hardy[/autotag] have shown off their speed and been viewed quite favorably by those watching practices this week in Texas. Center [autotag]Hunter Nourzad[/autotag] has also seemingly helped his draft profile with good one-on-one matchups in drills this week. Offensive tackle [autotag]Caedan Wallace[/autotag] is also participating in the game this year as he looks to improve his draft outlook.

The Shrine Bowl is considered the second-most attractive college football all-star game behind the Senior Bowl, which will be played this weekend, but the Shrine Bowl is certainly not lacking in NFL draft talent. In addition to the Nittany Lions playing in the game, this year’s Shrine Bowl will feature Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary, Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, and BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis. Unfortunately, a few solid draft prospects have been sidelined and unable to participate in practices this week like Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis, Miami defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, and Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.

The East0-West Shrine Bowl has been played in multiple locations since first being played in San Francisco in 1925. After being played the past two years in Paradise, Nevada, the game has moved to Frisco, Texas this season.

Fun Fact: Former Penn State cornerback Nick Sukay was named the defensive MVP of the 2012 Shrine Bowl.

Here is how to watch the 2024 Shrine Bowl on Thursday evening.

  • Date: Thursday, Feb. 1
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • Location: Ford Center at The Star (Frisco, TX)
  • TV: NFL Network

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Penn State OT Caedan Wallace showing flashes as Shrine Bowl approaches

OT Caedan Wallace putting scouts on notice just days before Shrine Bowl

After starting 39 games at right tackle for Penn State over the past four seasons (the most of any player on the roster), [autotag]Caedan Wallace[/autotag] will suit up for the East Team in Frisco during the East-West Shine Bowl on Thursday. Wallace will suit up alongside former Nittany Lion teammate center Hunter Nourzad, who is also playing for the East team.

Other former Nittany Lions, linebacker [autotag]Curtis Jacobs[/autotag] and cornerback [autotag]Daequan Hardy[/autotag], will be playing for the West team.

Throughout the first few days of practice that began on Saturday, Wallace received rave reviews from media members.

Carney also mentioned that Wallace was getting work at left tackle and that his athleticism should go up in a big way in both spots. An offensive lineman holding the necessary athleticism to play both tackle positions is massive for NFL teams.

Wallace is one of the East team’s four tackles, along with Illinois’ Julian Pearl, Maryland’s Gottlieb Ayedze, and Oklahoma’s Walter Rouse. Wallace and the rest of the East team will be coached by Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. The offensive line coaches for the East are Luke Stocker, an offensive assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans, and New York Jets offensive line coach Ben Wilkerson.

With Clemson’s Xavier Thomas and Colorado State’s Mo Kamara lining up on the edges, Wallace is getting reps against two top 20 edge defenders in the 2024 draft. With already positive reviews coming in for Wallace, it points to a rise of his draft stock, especially considering that many coaches at these pre-draft all-star games put more stock into the practices than the actual game.

Wallace projects as a late-round pick, perhaps as high as a fifth-rounder, considering his performances in Frisco this week.

The Shrine Bowl is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 1, at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air on NFL Network and be played at the Dallas Cowboys practice facility known as “The Star.”

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