Penn State Football: which Nittany Lions can improve their draft stock the most in 2022?

Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Juice Scruggs #70 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Ball State Cardinals during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 11, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Juice Scruggs #70 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Ball State Cardinals during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 11, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Juice Scruggs – center

As a first-time starter in 2021, Juice Scruggs was arguably Penn State’s best – or at the very least, most consistent – offensive lineman as the Nittany Lions’ starting right guard.

With last season’s starting center (Mike Miranda) now departed, the former four-star center in Scruggs will have an opportunity to slide over and play his best and most natural position.

Scruggs missed out on a lot of valuable reps early in his career due to a car accident that he was recovering from, but now with a full season of starting experience under his belt and a transition back to center, anticipate a breakout campaign by the Ohio native that could see him rise on draft boards throughout the fall months.

As it currently stands, he is probably a projected late round draft choice, but Juice Scruggs has a great opportunity to have an excellent season anchoring the interior of what projects as a much-improved offensive line, where he can turn himself into one of the better centers in the 2023 draft class and potentially become a day two selection.