Penn State Football: Players with 1st Round Talent for the 2024 NFL Draft

A streak that was snapped this year for the Penn State football team was producing a first-round pick. Since the 2021 NFL draft, the team has successfully done just that. In 2021 Micah Parsons and Odafe Oweh were first-round picks, then in the 2022 NFL draft, Jahan Dotson was also selected in the first-round. Many experts expected Joey Porter Jr to be a first round selection; however, he ended up being the first pick of round two this past weekend.rnrnAs we look ahead to the 2023 college football season, the Penn State football team is loaded with talent. I believe they will have at least 3 first-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft, of course, this is dependent on these players staying healthy in this upcoming season.rnrnLet's review the players on the 2023 Penn State football roster that hold first-round potential for the 2024 NFL draft.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Olu%20Fashanu" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_84116" align="aligncenter" width="590"] STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu #74 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)[/caption]rnrn OT Olu Fashanu would have been a top 10 pick in the 2023 NFL draft if he chose to declare. Instead, he will return to the Penn State football team to graduate from college, pursue his masters, and continue to work on his craft.rnrnFashanu has been fantastic ever since his first career start in the 2021 Outback Bowl. During the 2022 season, he proved that was no fluke and he is a talented player. According to PFF, Fashanu had 299 pass-blocking reps this past season and allowed zero sacks.rnrnhttps://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1590352761186459648?s=20rnrnThere is a certain level of comfort with him on the field. It's almost as if you know the line will be dominant because of Olu's presence. He was injured in early November and never returned to the team. Because of this injury, I believe that played a role in Fashanu returning to Penn State. He felt like he had unfinished business in State College, and he wanted to prove to NFL scouts that he can overcome any injury.rnrnIf he can stay healthy, Fashanu not only will be the first offensive tackle off the board in the 2024 NFL draft, but he could very well be a top 5 pick as well. The sky is the limit for this young man and I cannot wait to watch him on the field this season.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Kalen%20King" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_86824" align="aligncenter" width="590"] PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Kalen King #4 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Jonathan Sutherland #0 after an interception against the Utah Utes during the first quarter in the 2023 Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)[/caption]rnrn CB Kalen King will be eligible for the 2024 draft after this season with the Penn State football team. King has proven to be a shutdown cornerback in the Nittany Lions secondary. He quite possibly could be drafted higher than Joey Porter Jr was this past weekend.rnrnThe reason why I believe that is possible is, King doesn't make many mistakes. In his first year as a starter he shined, as he led the Big Ten with 21-pass breakups. He also had 30 tackles and 3 interceptions during the 2022 season. His game is so smooth and effortless, in many of his highlights it's almost as if he is running the route for the wide receiver he is guarding. This is a testament to the work he has put in during the off-season.rnrnhttps://twitter.com/BasicBluesPod/status/1589652019564146689?s=20rnrnHe was also tasked with becoming the team's #1 cornerback last season when JPJ missed time due to an injury. King was able to step up to the plate and show that he can guard anyone on the field.rnrnAs a player that put on a clinic at the cornerback position, if he can stay healthy and test well during the NFL combine we could hear Kalen King's name called early in the 2024 NFL draft.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Chop%20Robinson" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_84379" align="aligncenter" width="590"] STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Chop Robinson #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)[/caption]rnrn DE Chop Robinson transferred in from Maryland before the 2022 season. One of the greatest transfer portal additions during the James Franklin era. Entering the 2023 season I believe Chop is a fringe first-round pick. But if he can put up the numbers he did during his first year with the Penn State football team, then there is no question he will be a first-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft.rnrnLast year he appeared in 12 games, posting 10 tackles for loss and 5 sacks on the season. He wasn't a full-time starter at the beginning of the year, because he arrived on campus in July. With a full off-season under his belt, I would expect those numbers to increase even more this fall. This has to be one of the best celebrations as well.rnrnhttps://twitter.com/BasicBluesPod/status/1576927256647065601?s=20rnrnThis guy shows up, not just in passing situations. He can play the run, and he makes himself disruptive if he cannot get to the quarterback. If you remember Curtis Jacobs' pick-six against Michigan last season, Chop was the one who made that play happen.rnrnHe's a force to be wrecked with and with another year in Happy Valley with Manny Diaz scheming up different ways to utilize Robinson, this is a player that NFL scouts might not know well now but after the 2023 season, we will hear his name called in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.rnrn[story_link_next description="QB%20Sean%20Clifford%20Drafted%20by%20the%20Green%20Bay%20Packers" url="https://victorybellrings.com/2023/04/29/penn-state-football-green-bay-packers-select-qb-sean-clifford/" /]

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Penn State Football: Nittany Lions with Potential 1st Round Talent for the 2024 NFL Draft

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