A program of repeat success both on the field with talented prospects and in terms of NFL production, the Penn State scouting reports for the 2022 NFL Draft are massive. Included in the future crop of Nittany Lions likely to make immediate NFL success are WR Jahan Dotson, EDGE Arnold Ebiketie, S Jaquan Brisker, and more.
Penn State 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
The defense was terrific this past season for Penn State, and as such, as many as six defenders could hear their names called in the NFL Draft. Here are the full scouting reports from Penn State with eyes toward the 2022 NFL Draft.
Arnold Ebiketie, DE
Positives: Undersized pass-rushing linebacker who plays with a relentless style. Breaks down well, consistently gets leverage on opponents, and keeps his feet moving. Strong, fires his hands into blockers, and knocks offensive tackles back off the line. Fast off the edge, relentless, and does not give up on plays. Displays good change-of-direction skills, nicely flows down the line, and slides laterally to defend the run. Remains patient with assignments and does more than just mindlessly rush up the field.
Negatives: Primarily used out of a three-point stance at Penn State and rarely asked to drop back into coverage. Slowed by blocks and out-positioned by bigger linemen.
Analysis: Ebiketie was a terrific pass rusher for Penn State and had moments of dominance during Senior Bowl practices. He’s a pass-rush specialist at the next level who can be used out of a three-point stance or standing over tackle.
For more information on Arnold Ebiketie, visit his full scouting report
Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State DE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Brandon Smith, LB
Positives: Incredibly athletic linebacker with a three-down game. Quick to read and diagnose, smooth and fluid pedaling in reverse, and possesses a burst to the action. Quick flipping his hips in coverage, gets depth on pass drops, and shows a lot of ability in space. Goes sideline to sideline, quickly locates the ball, and works to get off blocks.
Negatives: Ineffective blitzing upfield. Easily blocked from the action or knocked from his angle of attack.
Analysis: Smith is a traditional off-ball/space linebacker who is effective on all three downs. Though he’s not a pass rusher, he’s outstanding in coverage and equally effective as a run defender in pursuit.
For more information on Brandon Smith, visit his full scouting report
Brandon Smith, Penn State LB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Derrick Tangelo, DL
Positives: Explosive one-gap tackle with a terrific first step off the snap. Plays with outstanding pad level, fires off the snap, and keeps his feet moving. Effective with his hands, consistently gets leverage on opponents, and shoots through gaps to penetrate the line of scrimmage.
Negatives: Easily out-positioned by a single blocker. Lacks a quick closing burst.
Analysis: Tangelo made an impact at Penn State after transferring from Duke and projects as a one-gap defensive tackle at the next level.
Ellis Brooks, LB
Positives: Underrated linebacker who gets the most from his ability. Explosive, gets depth on pass drops, and shows good awareness in coverage. Breaks down well, remains disciplined with assignments, and quickly locates the ball. Flows well to the action, possesses a burst, and flies around the field to make plays. Displays a lot of athleticism and plays much faster than his 40 time. Tremendous leader on the field.
Negatives: Not quick or smooth pedaling in reverse. Marginally forceful on the blitz.
Analysis: Brooks is a terrific football player who leads by example on the field. He’s much more athletic than his testing numbers would lend one to believe and has enough skill to make a roster as a fifth linebacker.
Eric Wilson, G
Positives: Former Ivy League blocker who did a solid job at Penn State last season. Sets with a wide base, sinks his butt at the line of scrimmage, and has a thick lower body. Possesses outstanding vision as well as awareness, works incredibly well with linemates, and keeps his head on a swivel. Quickly sets up off the snap, shows explosiveness at the point, and turns defenders from the line as a run blocker.
Negatives: Average athlete who lacks agility and struggles in anything other than a small area. Lacks footwork in space.
Analysis: Wilson is a smart, hard-working blocker with average athleticism and short arms. He could potentially be a backup interior offensive lineman, but he comes with limited upside.
Jahan Dotson, WR
Positives: Outstanding pass catcher with a nice combination of athleticism and natural receiving skills. Terrific route runner who is smooth releasing off the line of scrimmage and quick in his all-around game. Intelligent and plays with balance as well as body control. Uses the sidelines well, displays outstanding focus as well as concentration, and finds ways to separate from opponents.
Extends and exposes himself to the big hit, shows terrific concentration, and pulls the fastball from the air. Displays quick, strong hands. Easily adjusts to errant throws and gets down to scoop up low passes. Comes back to the ball out of breaks, quickly turns upfield after the catch, and displays a burst of speed. Creative when the ball is in his hands as a receiver and as a punt returner and follows blocks everywhere on the field. Battles opponents to come away with the reception and plays big football.
Negatives: Lacks elite deep speed and isn’t a home-run threat. Will struggle against larger cornerbacks.
Analysis: Dotson may not pass the eyeball test, as he’s neither the biggest nor the fastest receiver. Regardless, he’s a polished prospect who gets the most from his ability and plays big-time football. He is a good fit in just about any system, and Dotson possesses the ability to be a starter on Sundays.
For more information on Jahan Dotson, visit his full scouting report
Jahan Dotson, Penn State WR | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jaquan Brisker, S
Positives: Athletic safety with good size and a complete game. Resilient, tough, and works hard to get off blocks and make plays against the run. Plays heads-up football, quickly picks up coverage assignments, and has an explosive burst to the ball. Tracks the pass in the air, effectively works with cornerbacks to bracket receivers, and possesses excellent ball skills. Stays downfield with opponents in coverage, gets his head back around, and locates the ball in the air. Fires upfield, works to get off blocks, and sells out on the blitz.
Negatives: Shows some hesitation in his game. Lacks elite speed and a second gear.
Analysis: Brisker is a terrific all-around safety who does not have mental lapses on the field. He aggressively defends the run while holding his own in coverage, and he offers starting potential at the next level for a variety of defensive schemes.
For more information on Jaquan Brisker
Jaquan Brisker, Penn State S | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jesse Luketa, LB
Positives: Small, explosive college defensive end with a relentless style. Fires off the snap with an outstanding first step, plays with terrific pad level, and consistently gets leverage on opponents. Explosive, chases the action, and works his hands throughout the play. Nicely redirects to plays and immediately alters his angle of attack. Gives effort as both a pass rusher and run defender.
Negatives: Easily knocked from the play by a single blocker. Slow locating the ball and bites on fakes. Average athlete with average quickness.
Analysis: Luketa was a hard-charging college defender who squeezed the most out of his ability. He possesses average size and speed yet could be a pass-rush specialist/special-teams player due to his relentless style.
For more information on Jesse Luketa
Jesse Luketa, Penn State OLB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
John Lovett, RB
Positives: Nice-sized ball carrier who is best running downhill. Possesses terrific vision, effectively uses blocks, and runs hard on the inside. Quickly gets out into pass routes, adjusts to errant throws, and snatches the ball with his hands away from his frame. Sees the blitz, picks up blocking assignments, and squares into defenders.
Negatives: Not a creative ball carrier who makes defenders miss. Lacks great strength and the ability to pick up much yardage off initial contact. Cannot turn the corner.
Analysis: Lovett possesses solid size and a versatile game but has no single outstanding characteristic to his ball carrying. He offers potential as a team’s fifth back brought onto the field during third-down situations and can be used as a ball carrier, pass catcher, or blocker.
Jordan Stoudt, P
Positives: Strong legged prospect used on punts and kickoffs. Quickly gets the ball off his foot, has a blooming leg, and flips the field. Gets great hang time on punts and allows coverage units to get downfield to make plays on the ball. Shows the ability to directional kick and punts the ball into the coffin corner. Effective bad weather kicker. Displays the ability to drive kickoffs through the opposing end zones and drives field goals through the uprights with excellent power. Connects on passes in the intermediate field during fake punts.
Negatives: Inconsistent connecting on field goals. Also inconsistent as a directional punter.
Analysis: Stoudt had a terrific 2021 season and comes off a tremendous showing during Senior Bowl practices. He possesses the leg strength necessary to develop into a starting punter on Sunday.
Mike Miranda, OL
Positives: Fundamentally sound college center with average size and athleticism. Quickly sets up off the snap, bends his knees, and stays square. Effective with his hands, keeps his feet moving, and shows ability as a position blocker. Fires off the snap and is explosive at the point.
Negatives: Shows stiffness in his game. Does a lot of leaning and clutching on opponents. Overextends and misses blocks. Has short arms.
Analysis: Miranda was a solid college center but lacks agility, athleticism, and upside for the next level.
Rasheed Walker, OT
Positives: Super-athletic, pass-blocking left tackle with tremendous upside. Sets with a wide base, works to bend his knees, and stays square. Fires off the snap into blocks, effectively uses his hands, and easily moves about the field. Keeps his feet moving, fluidly slides off the edge, and shows terrific lateral blocking range. Flexible, agile, and easily adjusts to oncoming defenders. Jolts opponents with explosive hand punch and knocks them from their angles of attack. Explodes out to the second level and takes linebackers from the action. Quickly and easily moves across the line of scrimmage when blocking in motion.
Negatives: Must improve the strength of his base and gets marginal movement run blocking. Has mental lapses on the field.
Analysis: Walker is a prospect I projected as an early selection off his freshman tape. He possesses terrific size and athleticism, and he’s a fluid pass-protecting left tackle with tremendous upside. He needs to focus on the details of his position, keep his concentration on the field, and improve his playing strength to meet the expectations I have of him. If he does, Walker has All-Pro potential at the next level.
For more information on Rasheed Walker
Rasheed Walker, Penn State OT | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Tariq Castro-Fields, CB
Positives: Athletic cornerback who possesses terrific size and speed and flashes ability. Mixes it up with receivers throughout the route and possesses a good move to the throw as well as a closing burst. Flashes tremendous ball skills on occasion, works hard to defend passes, and can drive to the play out of his plant. Tough run defender, forces his way up the field, and wraps up tackling.
Negatives: Inconsistent. Struggles staying on the receiver’s hip out of breaks. Gives up a lot of underneath receptions. Late getting to the spot in downfield coverage and does a bit of holding on occasion.
Analysis: Castro-Fields has teased scouts since his sophomore season, as he looks like a dominant No. 1 cornerback at times. Nonetheless, he often plays like a free agent prospect. He possesses the physical skills desired in a starter for the next level, yet Castro-Fields needs a lot of work on his game. He’s a boom-or-bust type of cornerback who can have a long career at the next level or break the hearts of coaches.
For more information on Tariq Castro-Fields
Tariq Castro-Fields, Penn State CB | NFL Draft Scouting Report