Pro Day Highlights Nittany Lion Talent
Penn State’s NFL Scouting Combine performance a few weeks ago was the talk of college football and the Lions’ players were at it again Tuesday in State College, putting on a show for scouts during Penn State’s 2018 Pro Day. Twenty-one former Penn State players were at the Lasch Building and most of them ran, jumped and lifted for NFL teams prepping for the NFL draft in late April.
Saquon Barkley was there, so was Mike Gesicki and the rest of the Lions’ talented player pool. It was an important testing day for the majority of the Lions’ players, notably Marcus Allen, Christian Campbell and DaeSean Hamilton. Here is a look at the top numbers from Tuesday, courtesy of Penn State athletics and GoPSU sports.com.
Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen, Penn State’s best safety, started for most of his collegiate career. The 6-1, 209-pound Allen was one of eight Lions invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. He put up some interesting numbers in Indianapolis, including a 10-7 broad jump, a 37-inch vertical jump and 15 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
But speed is a key requirement for NFL safeties. A lack of it will get you bounced from the league in a hurry. Allen did not run a 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine but it was finally time for him to run on Penn State’s Pro Day. He was clocked at 4.59 seconds in the 40 on Tuesday.
Mike Gesicki
Some news on Mike Gesicki, who was at the Penn State Pro Day on Tuesday but only ran routes and caught passes for the NFL types in attendance. He’s put on some weight since his incredible Scouting Combine effort. The 6-5 Gesicki checked in at 254 pounds, up seven pounds from his time Indy. The Penn State tight end ran a 4.54 in the Combine and pulled off a 41.5-inch vertical leap.
Gesicki, who also starred in basketball and volleyball during his New Jersey prep days, looked good running routes on Tuesday. And he said his broad jump in Indy should have been better. It is officially listed at 10-10, according to Gesicki. But he claims it was 11-3 before he lost his footing and fell backward.
Saeed Blacknal
Penn State’s Saeed Blacknall was one of the Lions’ most physically gifted players during his four-year career. But the production never matched Blacknall’s athleticism. After roasting Wisconsin for two touchdowns in Penn State’s 2016 Big Ten title game win over Indianapolis, Blacknall pretty much disappeared from the Lions’ offense. That would explain why Blacknall was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Blacknall had plenty to prove at Penn State’s Pro Day. Checking in at 6-2, 208 pounds, Blacknall produced a 32.5-inch vertical leap, a 10-7 broad jump and he recorded 24 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. But the big number for the big receiver was the 40-yard dash, and the former Penn State deep threat was clocked at 4.39 in the 40.
Curtis Cothran
There were a few talented Penn State players who did not get NFL Scouting Combine invites that needed to do well during Tuesday’s Pro Day. One was defensive tackle Curtis Cothran, who shared time with Kevin Givens at the 3-technique during his last two seasons at Penn State. Cothran was productive at times with the Lions, and he was productive Tuesday.
Cothran checked in at 6-4, 283 and also racked up 26 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Cothran tackled on a 29-inch vertical jump and produced a 4.85 in the 40-yard dash. That’s an impressive time for a defensive tackle prospect.
Saquon Barkley
It should come as no surprise that Saquon Barkley continues to draw a crowd wherever he goes. The 5-11, 233-pound Barkley was in Harrisburg last week where lawmakers declared March 14 as Saquon Barkley Day. He was at Penn State Pro Day on Tuesday to root on his teammates and there will be a parade for Saquon Barkley in his hometown of Coplay on Saturday.
Barkley opted not to work out for NFL teams on Tuesday in State College. And why would he? Barkley ran the 40 in 4.41 at the NFL Scouting Combine and tacked on a 41-inch vertical jump and 29 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press. Barkley is viewed as a top-5 pick but it remains to be seen whether the NFL teams at the top of the draft will pursue quarterbacks who are less talented than Barkley.
Brandon Smith
Iowa running back Akrum Wadley is about to be hit by Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 5, 2016. Penn State beat Iowa, 41-14.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
Penn State is replacing its three best linebackers — Jason Cabinda, Manny Bowen and Brandon Smith. Smith, a former walk-on, played very well at inside linebacker during the last year-and-a-half for the Lions and he is going to give the NFL a shot. Smith probably is considered a free-agent prospect but tested very well on Tuesday.
Smith, who was a backup linebacker that played well as a spot starter, was measured at 6-0, 232. His vertical jump was recorded as 29 inches and he only managed 13 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press. But when it came time to run, Smith was clocked at 4.64 in the 40.
Troy Apke
Marcus Allen is the former Penn State safety who has a chance to go early in the April NFL draft but the Lions’ other safety, Troy Apke, has to be moving up draft boards after his performance in Indianapolis. Apke put on a show in one of the postseason All-Star games and he was one of eight Lions invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Apke did some positional work for NFL teams during Penn State’s Pro Day but his testing in Indy ranked as one of the biggest surprises of the safety group. Apke ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at 6-1, 200 pounds and Troy also was measured at 41 inches in the vertical jump. Add in a 10-11 broad jump and 16 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and it’s safe to say Apke has been one of Penn State’s most impressive performers in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft.
Jason Cabinda
During Penn State’s Pro Day Tuesday in State College, the Pittsburgh Steelers were watching Cabinda, Penn State’s middle linebacker closely. At one point, Cabinda had a lengthy chat with Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. But with most players, it typically comes down to on-field production and the physical testing numbers.
Cabinda, who was measured at 6-1, 237, did some testing at Pro Day and responded with a 33.5-inch vertical leap and a 10-9 broad jump. But Cabinda has yet to run a 40 time. He did not run at the Scouting Combine and he did compete in the 40-yard dash on Tuesday.
Colin Castagna
Let’s give some credit where credit is due. Colin Castagna did not play much during his time at Penn State and part of the problem was the Lions had some considerable depth at the defensive end position. Castagna drew some praise from Penn State coach James Franklin over the years and he worked out for NFL teams during the Lions’ Pro Day.
Castagna was measured at 6-4, 248 pounds and he did everything well during his testing. Castagna ran a 4.76 40 and hung up 30 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press. Castagna’s vertical jump was recorded at 32.5 inches.
Christian Campbell
Cornerback Grant Haley was part of the Penn State group at Pro Day but many NFL people were eager to see another corner, Christian Campbell, go through drills. Campbell was easily one of Penn State’s best athletes during his four-year career and he did post some very good numbers.
Penn State cornerback Christian Campbell just misses breaking up a completion to Ohio State wide receiver Austin Mack during the fourth quarter at Ohio Stadium on Oct. 28, 2017.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
Campbell, listed at 6-1, 193, was credited with a 41-inch vertical jump and an 11-3 broad jump. He produced 15 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and there were more than a few Penn State people who thought Campbell would run in the 4.3 range. But he was credited with a 4.51 40.
DaeSean Hamilton
Finally, there is wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton’s Pro Day effort to discuss. Hamilton was already in good standing with NFL teams after very good practice week efforts during East-West Shrine week and Senior Bowl week. And Hamilton was singled out by former NFL great Steve Smith for his route-running and pass-catching ability during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Hamilton did not run a 40 at the Combine and all eyes were on him Tuesday when it came time for his 40. And Hamilton did not disappoint. Some people clocked Hamilton at 4.52 in the 40 but there was also a 4.47 time that a few people were discussing on his first attempt. Either way, both times are considered great efforts by one of the best available wideouts in the NFL draft.
