The NFL released its full draft prospects list for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The list of 319 players feature nine former Penn Staters. The Nittany Lions head to Indianapolis from Feb. 23 through March 2 hoping to make a good impression on the 32 professional teams.
Quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, tight end Khalil Dinkins, offensive linemen Olaivavega Ioane and Drew Shelton, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, defensive tackle Zane Durant, and defensive back Zakee Wheatley were invited to the combine.
Allar's senior season ended in an unfortunate manner, breaking his ankle in what was ultimately Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin's final game coaching the Nittany Lions. However, the injury is, in a way, a blessing in disguise. Allar wasn't on track to being the Heisman-level quarterback everyone anticipated and he proved that he crashes and burns in big moments. If his senior season wasn't abbreviated, he could've hurt his draft stock tremendously.
In 2025, Allar finished with a 64.8 completion percentage on 103-of-159 completed passes for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions. Allar 36 scrambled for 172 yards and one rushing touchdown over the six games as well.
Allen surfaced as Penn State's leading running back in 2025 after being the solid No. 2 to Singleton his first three seasons. He emerged as the program's top rusher, accumulating 4,180 rushing yards over his collegiate career. From scrimmage, he slotted in at second behind Saquon Barkley in Nittany Lion history with 4,670 yards.
As a senior, Allen logged 210 carries for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns. He added an addiction 68 yards on 18 receptions over 12 games. Both he and Singleton were considered big winners from the Senior Bowl. The duo remains strong as the combine awaits on the horizon.
Despite having a dip in performance, registering roughly half the amount of rushing yards he did as a junior, Singleton also set records. He jumped to the top in Penn State history for number of rushing touchdowns (45) and total touchdowns (54), surpassing Barkley in both categories.
In 2025, Singleton had 123 carries for 549 yards and 13 touchdowns with 24 receptions for 219 yards and one receiving score on top of his rushing stats. During Senior Bowl practices, Singleton suffered a broken foot. Depending on his recovery, the combination of lackluster 2025 season results and injury could sink his draft placement.
Dinkins was expected to be one of the Nittany Lions' best in the tight end room. While the 2025 season didn't pan out to be what anyone expected, overall as a team or individually, Dinkins maintained pace with his performance from 2024.
As a senior, he registered 14 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns over 12 contests. During his junior year, he had the same number of receptions and scores, totaling 122 yards in the receiving game over 15 games.
Ioane looks like Penn State's best shot at tallying a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mock drafts consistently have the offensive lineman being one of the first 32 selections, leaning towards the back half of the group understandably so.
He's versatile on the line and extremely athletic. Playing mostly at left guard, Ioane logged 614 snaps in 2025 as a junior and allowed only four pressures. Not a single sack got by the lineman in 2025. Ioane also earned a second-team nod in the AP All-American selections.
While not the star lineman out of the group, Shelton is still a good depth piece on the offensive line. He started contributing all the way back in 2022 as a true freshman and became a full-time starter in 2024 for the Nittany Lions
Shelton started in 30 games over his career at State College and earned a Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025. Like Ioane, Shelton can be used across the line and that versatility can come in handy as NFL teams survey their needs, particularly in terms of depth.
Switching to the defensive side of the ball, Dennis-Sutton was a true five-star player for the Nittany Lions. The defensive end totaled 127 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, eight passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions over his four-year collegiate career.
While not projected to be a first-rounder in the draft, Dennis-Sutton has the potential to be a high draft pick nonetheless. Regardless of where he goes in the draft, he'll be a huge contributor at the NFL level. In 2025, specifically, he had 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three passes defensed, and three forced fumbles.
Durant was another bright spot for Penn State's unfortunate 2025 season, despite a dip in production. He was still a force to be reckoned with, and he'll be good on the interior as a rotational guy for NFL teams in need of stability on the defensive line.
In 2025, Durant registered 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two passes defensed, and one interception.
Wheatley had another good year for a team that didn't live up to expectations. He kept steady with his performance in 2024 and enters the draft as someone who can play both cornerback and safety, though he eventually played at safety exclusively for the Nittany Lions.
In 2025, his fifth collegiate season, Wheatley had 74 tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass defensed, one fumble recovery, and one interception.