With the three-day NFL Draft set to get underway Thursday night, Penn State football will wait to see who might add to a long list of first-round draft choices to have once worn the Blue and White. While cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is likely Penn State’s only first round selection this year, that doesn’t mean other former Nittany Lions can’t make a name for themselves at the next level. Here are five pre-draft superlatives to bank on when we look back on this draft years later.
As Good As Advertised: Joey Porter Jr., CB
It’s hard to be too surprised about a guy who has been a consensus first-round draft choice for the better part of the last two years but Joey Porter Jr.’s draft status will prove its worth when his career is all said and done. Sometimes it can be easy to simply echo “he’ll be good” over and over again, but Porter has too much going for him not to succeed at the next level. His early success might have to do with where he ends up, but he has too much length, athleticism and game sense not to make an impact.
Early Impact: Brenton Strange, TE
Compared to Porter, Brenton Strange was a more reserved member of Penn State’s locker room in years past but he also was one of Penn State’s most consistent players on a weekly and yearly basis. Strange doesn’t have the same speed and insane athleticism of some tight ends around the league but he has consistent hands and can make catches, take contact and break tackles. Just about every tight end can improve on their blocking coming out of college, but Strange has too much talent and can access it too consistently not to make an impact early in his career.
Mid Draft Steal: Ji’Ayir Brown, S
Ji’Ayir Brown might not have the flash of Joey Porter Jr. and might not have the same degree of hype, but if you want a guy who understands the game and is just always in the right place at the right time, you don’t need to look any further. A prospect who can read the game as it happens, Brown maybe doesn’t have the top-end speed or the overwhelming reel of powerful hits, but what he might lack in testing numbers he makes up for with IQ. You could argue that going in the fourth round or so doesn’t quite count as *steal* status, but he could anchor someone’s secondary for a long time.
[Potentially] Undrafted Gem: Nick Tarburton, EDGE
This spot might have gone to Parker Washington, but with a recent injury history to contend with its TBD if Washington can regain what he once had. Washington could end up being drafted and having a great career but he’ll have to prove it all over again. In the meanwhile, Nick Tarburton gets the nod as a guy who will have a better career than his draft status and will join a growing list of former Penn State players to make an impact at the next level on the defensive side of the ball.
Surprise Success Story: Chris Stoll, LS
Being a specialist always makes getting through the door a bit more challenging, but Stoll was one of the best long snappers in college football and is one opportunity away from becoming one of the best long snappers in the NFL. Stoll’s chances will come down to an opportunity opening up but surprising speed on special teams coupled with good technique and consistency makes for a surprisingly good, “not flashy” pickup.
