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

By Matt Lombardo

Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Joe Judge of the New York Giants (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Joe Judge of the New York Giants (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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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.

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