The Eagles have signed defensive tackle PJ Mustipher to a one-year contract.
The Eagles are adding depth to the defensive tackle position, signing former Penn State defender PJ Mustipher into a deal.
Mustipher (6-4, 318 pounds) was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos in 2023. He was signed to the New Orleans Saints’ active roster from the Broncos’ practice squad in December.
After playing in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl, OT Alex Palczewski, CB Art Green and DL PJ Mustipher later signed with the Broncos.
The 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl will be played in Texas tonight and the Denver Broncos will have scouts and coaches in attendance.
Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb will serve as the West team’s offensive coordinator, giving him a great opportunity to get a close look at the draft prospects participating in this year’s college all-star game.
Last year, Denver signed three players who participated in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl as college free agents: offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (East), cornerback Art Green (East) and defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (West).
Palczewski made the initial 53-man roster but spent most of his rookie season on injured reserve before being activated for the final game of the year. Green spent most of the 2023 campaign on the practice squad before being elevated to the game-day roster in Week 18. The New Orleans Saints signed Mustipher off the Broncos’ practice squad last December.
To view the full roster of players participating in this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl, click here.
The New Orleans Saints announced five roster moves before their Week 14 matchup with the Carolina Panthers:
The New Orleans Saints announced five roster moves before their Week 14 matchup with the Carolina Panthers, losing two key defenders to injured reserve while parting ways with a veteran on the practice squad — and signing a couple of young defensive players to reinforce the 53-man roster. Here’s what you need to know about each move:
Check out some of the best photos from the NFL preseason of these former Penn State players.
While the college football season is about to get started, the NFL preseason is nearly in the books for 2023. And it has been a busy one for former Penn State Nittany Lions with a mix of veterans in new locations and rookies getting started has been the theme of the preseason, it seems.
Most teams have played at least two games in the preseason at this point, and Penn State fans have not had to look too far to find some of their former fan favorites around the league.
Here is a look at some of the best photos from the NFL preseason so far of some of the former Penn State players around the league.
PJ Mustipher will aim to win a rotational role on Denver’s defensive line this summer. Here are his college highlights.
The Denver Broncos signed defensive lineman PJ Mustipher as an undrafted free agent following the NFL draft in April and he’s now set to compete for a rotational role on the team’s defensive line this offseason.
Mustipher’s highlights from his time at Penn State can be seen in the above video. The 6-4, 315-pound defender could be a sleeper to watch for during training camp and preseason this summer.
Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie defensive lineman PJ Mustipher, No. 97.
Before the Broncos: Mustipher (6-4, 315 pounds) was a high school team captain at McDonogh School in Maryland and earned an invite to the Under Armour All-America Game as a senior before attending Penn State.
Mustipher was a two-time captain at PSU, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and 2022. In five years (49 games) with the Nittany Lions, Mustipher totaled 144 tackles (10.5 behind the line), three sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass breakup.
His brother, Sam, is a center with the Baltimore Ravens. The old Mustipher played with the Chicago Bears from 2019-2022 after playing collegiately at Notre Dame.
Broncos tenure: Mustipher signed with Denver as a college free agent after the NFL draft. He will compete for a spot as a rotational defensive lineman this summer.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Mustipher will face an uphill battle to make the active roster, but he’ll have a fighting chance. If he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, Mustipher will likely be a top candidate for the practice squad.
The Broncos signed 15 UDFAs after the draft, including two running backs and two defensive linemen. Those are two notable positions given that Denver did not select a running back or a defensive lineman during the draft.
The Broncos also brought in tight ends, wide receivers, offensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs. Undrafted players often face long odds to make the 53-man roster, but Denver has a strong history of uncovering UDFA gems.
Here’s a look at the 15 UDFA signings the Broncos made in 2023.
Penn State DT PJ Mustipher signs undrafted free agent contract.
Following the conclusion of the NFL draft, the frenzy to sign undrafted free agents is always tough to keep up with. A number of former Penn State players took advantage of the ability to sign an undrafted free agent contract to keep their NFL dreams alive despite not getting a call during the draft like some of their teammates.
Among those signing a free agent contract was team captain and defensive lineman PJ Mustipher. Mustipher signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Denver Broncos following the conclusion of the draft.
Mustipher spent six seasons at Penn State and he racked up plenty of experience in that time. Mustipher appeared in 10 games as a freshman in 2018 and played in all 13 games of the 2022 season after having his 2021 season cut short due to injury after just five games.
Mustipher, a team captain for the past two seasons, closed out his Penn State career with 144 total tackles, including four in Penn State’s Rose Bowl victory at the end of the 2022 season, sending him out as a Rose Bowl champion. Mustipher was named an All-Big Ten second-team player by Big Ten coaches and third-team player by Big Ten media. He was also named an AP All-Big Ten second-team player and received the team’s Tim Shaw Thrive Award and the Lions Pride Outstanding Senior Player Award/
Mustipher came to Penn State as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2018, a recruiting class that also included Micah Parsons, Jahan Dotson, and Pat Freiermuth as well as 2023 draft picks Juice Scruggs and Will Levis.
Here are 5 players that can improve their stock by good performances at Penn State’s Pro Day.
Penn State is hosting their Pro Day on March 24th, inviting scouts from NFL teams to watch former Nittany Lions go through drills.
13 players are getting the opportunity to showcase their skills and meet with personnel to improve their draft stock. There are the names like [autotag]Joey Porter Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag] who have solidified themselves as picks, but there are also fringe players hoping to hear their names called in the late rounds.
The list of participants on the offensive side of the ball include, quarterback [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Juice Scruggs[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Brenton Strange[/autotag], wide receivers [autotag]Mitchell Tinsley[/autotag] and [autotag]Parker Washington[/autotag].
The defensive players participating are, defensive tackle [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag], defensive end [autotag]Nick Tarburton[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Jonathan Sutherland[/autotag], cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and safety Ji’Ayir Brown.
Three specialists will also showcase their skills. Long snapper [autotag]Chris Stoll[/autotag], punter [autotag]Barney Amor[/autotag] and kicker [autotag]Jake Pinegar[/autotag] will be going through drills and meeting NFL teams.
Here are five players that can improve their draft stock by performing well at the Pro Day.
Now that a new coach is in place, here’s a quick look at the Penn State defensive line situation this spring
It’s an exciting time for the defensive line unit at Penn State. Coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] recently announced that [autotag]Deion Barnes[/autotag] would be the new defensive line coach for the upcoming season.
Barnes, who played defensive line at Penn State from 2012-2014, is taking over the role after the departure of [autotag]John Scott Jr.[/autotag]
It seems like a natural progression for Barnes who served as a graduate assistant and was involved in the development of multiple players going to the NFL.
While the news of this hire is certainly exciting, the other electrifying thing surrounding the defensive line is they might be the best unit of Penn State football this season.
[autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] are the headliners of the line, but there are other players that could have a big year as well.
Here are names to watch as spring practices get underway.
Chop Robinson
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Measurables: 6’3″ 240 lbs.
Year: Junior
Expected Role: Starting Defensive End
Chop Robinson was an absolute star for Penn State in 2022-23. After transferring in from Maryland, he was a game wrecker for the Nittany Lions. He recorded 26 total tackles, 10 of them for loss, and had 5.5 sacks.
His PFF grade of 90.6 ranked him sixth out of 862 edge rushers last season. Robinson’s pass rush grade had him fourth in the country. It’s crazy to think that he can improve his run defense to become an even better player. Robinson will be a household name if continues to produce like he did last year.
Coziah Izzard
AP Photo/Barry Reeger
Measurables: 6’3″ 292 lbs.
Year: Redshirt Junior
Expected Role: Starting Defensive Tackle
This is the starting position on the defensive line that should be watched. [autotag]Coziah Izzard[/autotag] is the projected starter, but he’ll be battling to secure that title. Last season he was expected to start alongside [autotag]PJ Mustipher[/autotag], but missed the first four games of the season due to the decision of coach Franklin.
After a bursting onto the scene in 2021 with 21 tackles and two sacks, he recorded 10 tackles and two sacks in nine games last season. Izzard has tons of talent and should be able to produce this year whether he’s a starter or not.
