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Penn State Football: An early look at next year’s NFL Draft prospects

By Nick Kreiser

Ji'Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Ji'Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 04: Jake Ferguson #84 of the Wisconsin Badgers is brought down by Ji’Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 04: Jake Ferguson #84 of the Wisconsin Badgers is brought down by Ji’Ayir Brown #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Penn State Football safety – Ji’Ayir Brown

Though he was somewhat overshadowed by Jaquan Brisker, Ji’Ayir Brown was nothing short of excellent for the Nittany Lions in 2021.

Tallying 73 total tackles and five pass breakups, his most notable stat was his six interceptions, which led the country. Two of those interceptions were to seal wins for Penn State (Wisconsin and Maryland), the second of which he returned for a touchdown.

The former Lackawanna safety has the range and ball skills to make an impact for an NFL secondary, and his experience and leadership will make him that much more attractive to NFL scouts.

Like Joey Porter Jr, playing well against teams such as Ohio State and Purdue could really help bolster his draft stock, perhaps securing a selection within the first three rounds of the draft.

Ji’Ayir Brown would have been selected in 2022, had he decided to enter the draft. Now with another year to build upon an already impressive resumé, and he could be one of the first safeties off the board next April.

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