Penn State Football: Nine Former Nittany Lions Trying to Make NFL Rosters

A total of nine former Nittany Lions are hoping to make their first NFL roster. So far this spring, three were drafted. When NFL rookie camps closed down Sunday, four had signed free agent contracts.

Two, including former Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin, are still in the running, but face uncertain futures.

A total of 332 former Penn State players have been drafted by an NFL team, but many more have tried and succeeded by going the free agent route.

The path to a pro career is a lot easier for the players who were drafted. First-team All-Big Ten defensive tackle Jordan Hill was selected by the Seahawks, while All-Big Ten linebacker Gerald Hodges and first team All-America linebacker Michael Mauti were both tabbed by the Minnesota Vikings.

Both Hodges and Hill stand well positioned to make an impact on their respective teams. Mauti will need to prove that his physical health is good enough for the Vikings to take a chance on a player who has a long history of injuries. Mauti is recovering from a severe knee injury that ended his final season at Penn State.

In 15 out of 20 seasons in Big Ten play Penn State has at least three players selected in the NFL draft. While that is the most notable way to carve a place on an NFL roster, four more Nittany Lions will look to work their way onto a squad after signing free agent contracts.

Tackle Mike Farrell took his talents not far from Happy Valley to work with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cornerback Stephon Morris and first-team All-Big Ten center Matt Stankiewitch both used some of head coach Bill O’Brien’s connections to land with the New England Patriots. Running back Michael Zordich signed on with the Carolina Panthers to show off the physical style of running that made him a fan favorite while at Penn State.

In addition to those players, quarterback Matt McGloin worked out with both the Washington Redskins and the Carolina Panthers. Linebacker Pete Massaro landed invites to Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie camp this past weekend. Neither McGloin or Massaro have signed free agent deals.

“Any time you coach guys, even though it was only for a year, and you see those guys’ dreams come true, that’s a neat thing for a coach and all of us who coached those guys,” O’Brien said during a stop on the Coaches’ Caravan.

Interestingly enough, in the 47 years of Super Bowl history a former Penn State coach or player has taken part in the game in 42 of those 47 years.