Penn State has been a hotbed for elite athletes in recent years. Miles Sanders, Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki, and Chris Godwin were all among the most impressive workouts in their draft classes. In the absence of the NFL Combine, the 2021 Penn St. Pro Day will be the best opportunity for prospects to showcase they are worthy of being selected in the NFL Draft.
The Nittany Lions had a disappointing 2020 season, finishing the year with a 4-5 record. After starting the year 0-5, James Franklin’s squad rallied to win their final four games. However, the team announced that they didn’t want to be considered for a bowl game.
When is Penn St.’s Pro Day in 2021?
The pro day for the Penn State Nittany Lions will take place on March 25.
Top Penn St. prospects working out at pro day
Micah Parsons
Linebacker Micah Parsons is one of the most versatile prospects in the draft. He opted out of the 2020 season, but his performances in 2019 were enough to make him Pro Football Network Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline’s top-rated linebacker. He’s also the 10th-ranked prospect on Pauline’s big board.
[sv slug=”drizly”]Draft Analyst Ian Cummings believes that “Micah Parsons is an elite linebacker prospect. But more than that, he’s an elite potential chess piece at the NFL level.” He’s consistently appearing in the first round of mock drafts, including being selected 17th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in Ryan Gosling’s recent mock draft.
Jayson Oweh
Jayson Oweh wasn’t the productive pass rusher that scouts would have liked in 2020. He actually went without a sack in his shortened seven-game season. Nevertheless, he’s still one of the most intriguing EDGE prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. Oweh is currently 45th on Pauline’s big board.
Pauline noted:
“Oweh was an explosive, athletic college defensive end who made a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage and in space. He must fill out his frame to play out of a three-point stance or improve his game standing over tackle. Although Oweh comes with huge upside, he’ll start off as a situational pass rusher as a rookie and may experience a lot of bumps in the road.”
Pat Freiermuth
Tight end Pat Freiermuth is one of a group of prospects trying to force his way to the top of the position’s second tier. Currently, Pauline has him ranked 63rd on his big board.
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Pauline believes that “Freiermuth was a consistent tight end for Penn State the past three seasons and has an NFL-ready game. He must improve his strength as a blocker and may never be a great downfield threat at the position, but Freiermuth is reliable in all aspects of his position.”
Michal Menet
Offensive lineman Michal Menet is one of the most experienced Penn St. prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft, starting 34 games at center for the Nittany Lions. He comes in as the 90th-ranked prospect on Pauline’s big board.
In his scouting report, Pauline says, “Menet was a productive three-year starter for Penn State and projects well at the next level as a zone-blocking center. He possesses a good amount of upside, and I foresee Menet as a long-time starter in the NFL in the proper system.”
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Parsons, Oweh, Freiermuth, and Menet aren’t the only Penn St. prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. On the offensive side of the ball, guards William Fries and Eric Wilson will hope they can impress scouts. Additionally, defensive end Shaka Toney, safety Lamont Wade, and defensive end Shane Simmons will look to improve their stock.
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