Tag: rasheed walker

Full 7-round Saints mock draft: The post-scouting combine edition

Full 7-round Saints mock draft: The post-scouting combine edition

The 2022 NFL scouting combine is in the books, so it’s time for an update to our seven-round New Orleans Saints mock draft (you can compare it with the pre-combine mock draft we put together here). Between everything we learned from workouts in Indianapolis to the news that trickled out from after-hours meetings, we’ve really shaken up some of our projections for the 2022 draft. Let’s dig in.

2022 NFL Draft: Top three team fits for OT Rasheed Walker

These three NFL teams could be good spots for Penn State offensive lineman Rasheed Walker in the 2022 NFL draft.

There is a good chance we see some Penn State players off the board and the early rounds, especially guys like Jahan Dotson and Arnold Ebiketie. However, there are some guys that will likely be later around selections. One of them is offensive tackle Rasheed Walker.

Walker has three years of starting experience. Even though he struggled this past season, there is still plenty of tape to look at and lots of upside.

There are several teams that could use a depth piece like Walker on the roster.

However, there are three specific teams that would benefit greatly selecting Walker in the later rounds of the draft.

NFL Combine invites extended to eight Penn State players

Penn State has eight players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine

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College football’s finest NFL prospects will be hoping to leave a good impression at this year’s scouting combine in Indianapolis, and this year will see eight Penn State players looking to make their own individual statements in front of the eyes of the NFL scouting world. The master list of 324 players invited to this year’s NFL combine, including eight players from Happy Valley.

Wide receiver Jahan Dotson, safety Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields, defensive ends Jesse Luketa and Arnold Ebiketite, linebacker Brandon Smith, punter Jordan Stout, and offensive linemen Rasheed Walker were among those invited. Penn State has the fourth-most players invited to the combine.

The combine is the last major step toward the NFL draft, with workout results and times from the combine carrying plenty of weight for any player’s draft outlook. A school’s pro day event, which offers combine drills in a slightly more accommodating environment for many players, also is a vital resource for any prospect’s draft stock.

As long as all eight Penn State players attend the combine, it will be the first real opportunity to see two of the most notable draft prospects since the end of the 2021 regular season. Dotson and Brisker were among the sizable number of opt-outs from the bowl game, and each player ended up not participating in the Senior Bowl last weekend. To some draft analysts, that makes the combine even more important for Dotson and Brisker.

The NFL combine is scheduled for March 1 through March 7.

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Penn State OT Rasheed Walker declares for the NFL draft

Penn State OT Rasheed Walker the latest Nittany Lion to declare for the 2022 NFL draft

Another Penn State player is heading off to the 2022 NFL draft this spring. On Monday, offensive tackle Rasheed Walker officially declared for the draft with a message posted to his Twitter account.

“I will forever be grateful for the memories I have stated with you all in Happy Valley and will always bleed Blue & White,” Walker said in his statement after crediting James Franklin and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein for their guidance during his time at Penn State.

“With all that being said, I will be declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft,” Walker announced, “This has been a dream of mine since I can remember and I would like to thank you all for being a part of it.”

Walker’s departure to the NFL was expected, although it may have come later than anticipated after so many other Penn State players declared for the draft leading up to the bowl game. Walker had been discussed as a potential first-round talent after the 2021 draft in some way-too-early draft outlooks from draft analysts. A first-round draft grade may not be in the cards anymore, but Walker will undoubtedly be hearing his name called at some point in the 2022 NFL draft.

Walker was a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions and earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition this past season. Walker missed Penn State’s final two games of the regular season and did not play in the Outback Bowl after arriving in Tampa on crutches.

Once Walker recovers from his undisclosed injury, he will still have a chance to impress draft scouts in workouts and combine-type drills, as many Penn State players tend to do.

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Rasheed Walker arrives in Tampa for Outback Bowl on crutches

Penn State not likely to have a starting offensive lineman for the Outback Bowl

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Penn State made the trip down to Tampa on Sunday to begin preparing for the Outback Bowl on Saturday, and it doesn’t look like starting offensive tackle Rasheed Walker will be available for the game.

Lions 247 captured an image of Walker arriving with his teammates in Tampa on crutches, a strong suggestion he will not be playing in the Outback Bowl against the Arkansas Razorbacks. That would be concerning for the Nittany Lions, who played the final two games of the regular season without Walker on the line of scrimmage due to an undisclosed reason.

It is unknown at this time what the future holds for Walker. Prior to the season, Walker was viewed by some NFL draft analysts as a potential first-round pick, but film breakdowns have shown some glaring holes in his game against quality defenses this season.

Penn State will be without starting linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks after the two leading tacklers opted out of the bowl season to begin preparing for the NFL. What is unknown at this time is the status of three others who are expected to be turning pro; wide receiver Jahan Dotson, safety Jaquan Brisker, and defensive end Arnold Ebeketie. None of the three arrived with the team arrival, although it is unconfirmed if any arrived on their own as a number of players flew separately of the team flights.

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What Penn State players were named All-Big Ten for 2021?

What Penn State players received all-Big Ten honors or honorable mention from B1G coaches and media in 2021?

Award season is upon us, and a number of Penn State players are receiving Big Ten accolades. The Big Ten unveiled its all-Big Ten rosters for the 2021 season as selected by the coaches and media around the conference. The Penn State defense landed two first-team All-Big Ten players after a very strong season.

Jaquan Brisker was one of four defensive backs to receive first-team accolades by the Big Ten coaches. Brisker joined Michigan’s Dax Hill and the Iowa duo of Dane Belton and Riley Moss on the first-team list.

Defensive lineman Arnold Ebiketie also landed on the first team after an impressive fall season after transferring from Temple. Ebikeitie was listed on the first-team defensive line along with Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, Ohio State’s Haskell Garrett, and Purdue’s George Karlaftis. That would be one monster of a defensive line, for sure.

Jahan Dotson was the only Penn State player to receive All-Big Ten recognition on offense. Dotson was named to the second-team All-Big Ten along with Garrett Wilson of Ohio State. Ohio State’s Chris Olave and Purdue’s David Bell took the first-team honors.

On special teams, punter Jordan Stout was named first-team All-Big Ten. Of course, that should have been expected after Stout was named the Big Ten’s punter of the year. Dotson also received a third-team nod for All-Big Ten as a return specialist.

PJ Mustipher and Ellis Brooks each appeared on the second-team defense. Brandon Smith, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Joey Porter Jr. all appeared on the third team All-Big Ten list.

Sean Clifford, Juice Scruggs, and Rasheed Walker all earned honorable mention for the offense by the coaches. Walker was named third-team All-Big Ten by the Big Ten media, while Brenton Strange and Mike Miranda received an honorable mention by the media. Defensive honorable mentions went to Tariq Castro-Fields and Jesse Luketa as well. Luketa received third-team All-Big Ten by the media. the media also gave honorable mention nods to Mustipher, Brooks, Brown, and Curtis Jacobs in addition to those appearing on the coaches honorable mentions list.

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5 takeaways from Penn State’s 21-17 loss to Michigan

5 takeaways from Penn State’s loss to Michigan: A coaching blunder, a defensive lapse, and a battered QB almost still found a way to beat Michigan

Penn State fell to 6-4 for the 2021 season after losing at home to the Michigan Wolverines in Week 11, 21-17. It was a game that looked poised to be a win that would have been an amazing gutsy effort, but a late lapse on defense changed the tune of the postgame mood in a hurry.

There will be a lot to digest from this one as Michigan continues to keep in the playoff hunt and Big Ten East race and Penn State is scrambling just to get to the bowl season with a winning record. Penn State’s loss to Michigan was a pretty decent summary of everything Penn State has concerns with.

Here are five takeaways from Penn State’s performance against Michigan.

Where does Rasheed Walker’s draft stock stand right now?

After receiving first-round buzz entering 2021, what does Penn State OL Rasheed Walker’s 2022 NFL draft outlook look like now?

Penn State is preparing to face its toughest opponent of the season, the Ohio State Buckeyes. Nothing shines a brighter spotlight on individuals than a primetime matchup against one of college football’s top team, so this could be an important week for some of Penn State’s top draft prospects in 2022.

Today, we will take a look at a player that has garnered attention for quite some time now, offensive lineman Rasheed Walker. He was seen in plenty of first-round mock drafts coming into this season but things have felt pretty quiet as the season has played out.

Walker stands 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds and is super athletic off the ball. His footwork has immensely improved throughout his time at Penn State. He was recruited as a 280-pound lineman who played on both sides of the ball.

He is built like a brick wall and has that elite body frame to push his opponents around the field. Walker’s collegiate career has been nothing short of impressive.

Like his footwork, his vision is a trait that definitely sticks out in his game. Walker played much of his college career as a left tackle.

He does have a lack of experience playing on the right side, which might cause him to slip a bit into the second round. Nonetheless, Walker still has the talent to be a future starter in the NFL.

So, where exactly does Walker’s current draft stock stand as of today?

Last season, there were several mock drafts that had Walker going in the first round. He is still having a very productive year. However, there have been other offensive linemen that have really soared up the draft boards like Mississippi State’s Charles Cross and Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green.

Walker certainly still has the talent to be selected in the first round. This will be more of a defensive draft in 2022, but there are plenty of offensive linemen who have the potential to flourish at the next level. Penn State offensive tackle Rasheed Walker is one of them.

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Penn State announces team captains for 2021 season

Penn State’s team captains for the 2021 college football season are heavy on senior leadership.

Penn State is looking to rely on veteran leadership on the roster in their attempt to correct the wrongs from the 2020 season. With a challenging 2021 football schedule on tap, beginning with a difficult road trip to Wisconsin in Week 1 as an underdog, Penn State hopes to get things off on the right foot,

The Nittany Lions named their team captains for the 2021 season on Monday, and upperclassman leadership was a consistent theme throughout. Safety Jaquan Brisker, defensive tackle PJ Mustipher, quarterback Sean Clifford, kicker and punter Jordan Stout, and safety Jonathan Sutherland were all named captains and are seniors on the team this season. Redshirt junior offensive lineman Rasheed Walker was also named a team captain for the 2021 Penn State Nittany Lions.

Clifford and Sutherland are now the first three-time captains in Penn State’s program history, a remarkable feat itself. Clifford will be the team’s starting quarterback for a third consecutive season. Sutherland should have opportunities on both defense and special teams this season. Sutherland became the first player in Penn State history to wear the No. 0 on his jersey in 2020 when the NCAA first allowed for the use of the uniform number to be worn by college football programs. 

Here is a look at this year’s team captains for the Nittany Lions:

Top 21 players for the Nittany Lions entering 2021

Penn State football returns soon. Who are the key players to watch for the Nittany Lions in 2021?

Penn State enters the 2021 college football season with a bit of a chip on their shoulders. Following a rare losing season played during a pandemic, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are eager to prove they are better than their 2020 record would indicate. With a challenging schedule right out of the gate, Penn State will have plenty of opportunities to prove itself to the masses this fall.

And they will do so with enough talent on the roster to make some things happen. With experience at quarterback, one of the top wide receivers in the Big Ten, and one of the nation’s top defensive secondaries to rely on, there are a lot of good ingredients for a successful season in Happy Valley. Every position has a chance to play a key role in the fortunes of Penn State this season too.

Here is a look at 21 key players Penn State has on the roster in 2021, listed in no particular order.