Why NY Giants’ Joe Judge, Steelers Mike Tomlin scouting pro day matters

Penn State Football’s pro day was a popular destination among NFL teams, but two evaluators in attendance underscore just how highly the league thinks of the program’s draft-eligible players.

While 31 teams were in Happy Valley for Thursday’s workouts, the fact that two head coaches; the NY Giants’ Joe Judge and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin is significant.

Due to COVID-19 protocols, teams are only allowed to send a maximum of three representatives to each campus, the fact that a team decides to send its head coach telegraphs meaningful interest.

Tomlin is a frequent attendee of the Nittany Lions’ pro day over the years, given that Pittsburgh is a mere two-hour drive from State College.

However, Judge being in attendance, could mean that the NY Giants have interest in a player such as inside linebacker Micah Parsons or Jayson Oweh with the No. 11 overall pick. Both players would plug significant needs along the Giants’ front-seven.

Oweh has been surging up draft boards due to his freakish athleticism, and helped his draft stock after running a 4.36 40-yard dash in front of Judge, Tomlin, and the scouts in attendance.

Parsons, Oweh, and tight end Pat Freiermuth could all be potential first-round picks in next month’s 2021 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, defensive end Shaka Toney could also boost his draft stock and work his way into becoming a Day two selection with a strong performance during the workout.