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Here’s which Penn State Football players are headed to the NFL Combine

By Alec Whitaker

Sep 1, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) and Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji'Ayir Brown (16) celebrate in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) and Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji'Ayir Brown (16) celebrate in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Football has prided itself on the development of its players under head coach James Franklin. 

Penn State Football has stolen the show at the NFL Scouting Combine in the past and former Nittany Lions will look to do it again this year.

Following a successful 11-2 season that resulted in a Rose Bowl win, the Nittany Lions had plenty of talented players ready to take the next step and declare for the NFL draft.

Seven of those Rose Bowl champions will be headed to the scouting combine in February.

They are:

  • WR Parker Washington
  • WR Mitchell Tinsley
  • TE Brenton Strange
  • OC Juice Scruggs
  • CB Joey Porter Jr.
  • S Ji’Ayir Brown
  • DT P.J. Mustipher

All seven of these now former Penn State football players deserve this opportunity to improve their draft stock. There was one surprising omission though, quarterback Sean Clifford.

Yes, Clifford was a 6-year guy and that means he wasn’t good enough to leave school early for the NFL, but we’re talking about someone who was good enough to lead a major Power 5 program for four seasons and won two New Year’s Six bowls.

Considering how NFL teams have a tendency to over value quarterbacks and will also draft more than they may need, Penn State’s all-time leading passer not having the opportunity to improve his draft stock is interesting to say the least. Clifford would have likely tested well too, considering he is a pretty good athlete for the position.

Of the players who will be attending, most eyes will be on Joey Porter and Ji’Ayir Brown. Porter will look to solidify his position as a first round pick, while Brown will attempt to join Porter in the first round.

The player who could improve his draft stock the most is Parker Washington. Coming off an injury that forced him to miss the end of the regular season, Washington will have to prove to NFL teams that he hasn’t lost a step and is ready to go. Combine that with his elite hands, and Washington could make a move to be an early Day 2 pick.

Since taking over the program in 2014, James Franklin has had 40 former players be drafted. These seven, along with Clifford, DE Nick Tarburton and K Jake Pinegar will attempt to add to that total and possibly get to 50.

The NFL Combine will be held from Feb. 28 to March 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

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