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Penn State Football: recapping the Nittany Lions selected on the third and final day of the 2022 NFL Draft

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Brandon Smith #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with fans after the game against the Auburn Tigers at Beaver Stadium on September 18, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Brandon Smith #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with fans after the game against the Auburn Tigers at Beaver Stadium on September 18, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The 2022 NFL Draft is now complete, and Penn State Football had eight total players drafted over the course of the weekend.

The eight draft picks is the most in a single draft for Penn State in the James Franklin era, with the previous best being six, which happened in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Plus, it is the most since a whopping 10 Nittany Lions were selected in the 1996 draft.

Beginning with Jahan Dotson being selected in the first round by the Washington Commanders on Thursday night, then being followed by Arnold Ebiketie being selected by the Falcons, and Jaquan Brisker by the Bears, both in the second round on Friday.

After Penn State Football had two of its own get selected within ten picks of one another in the middle of the fourth round on Saturday afternoon, it was quite some time before another Nittany Lion came off the board.

Penn State Football had five players drafted on Saturday throughout the final four rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft, so here is a recap of those selections.

Brandon Smith – linebacker

Round 4 – pick 120 – Carolina Panthers

It may come as a surprise to some that he was drafted as high as he was, but Brandon Smith is an elite athlete that can be a highly productive linebacker at the next level if he can refine his game.

Smith will play for another former Penn State Football linebacker – Matt Rhule. He will also join former Nittany Lion, Yetur Gross-Matos, on the Carolina defense.

Following a 3-0 start in 2021, the Panthers finished just 5-12 and in last place in the NFC South. They allowed 23.8 points per game, and 113.8 rushing yards per game, both of which put them around the middle of the pack in each of those categories.

After focusing on the offense on the first two days of the draft, selecting offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu in the first round, and quarterback Matt Corral in the third, they are hoping to improve upon that mediocre defense with their selection of Brandon Smith.

Smith should be a contributor right away for Carolina, as he looks to continue the legacy of LBU in the NFL.

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