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Olu Fashanu leads 10 Penn State players invited to the NFL Combine

Fitz headshot croppedby:Sean Fitz•02/13/24•

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Offensive lineman Olu Fashanu leads the way for Drew Allar. (Credit: Steve Manuel | Blue White Illustrated)

Ten former Penn State players have been invited to work out in front of NFL Scouts at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis later this month. The Nittany Lions are slated to be among the few programs represented in the double-digits, with Michigan leading the way with 18 invited players. Here is the full list of players invited.

Four players from the offensive side of the ball have been invited from Penn State. Tight end Theo Johnson will join offensive linemen Olu Fashanu, Hunter Nourzad and Caedan Wallace in Indy. On the defensive side of the ball, the Nittany Lions will be represented by linebacker Curtis Jacobs, defensive ends Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac and a trio of cornerbacks in Johnny Dixon, Kalen King and Daequan Hardy. 

Robinson, Isaac and Jacobs will be up first, as the groups will work out on Thursday, Feb. 29. Johnson and the three corners will be up on Friday, March 1. The offensive linemen will be up on the final day of action, which is Sunday, March 1. Penn State’s selections have yet to clarify how much they will be doing at the showcase.

The number is up from seven a year ago. Kicker Alex Felkins was among the players who were not selected, but only six specialists, four of them placekickers, were invited to Indianapolis. 

Assessing the list from a Penn State perspective

Hardy is the biggest surprise on the list. He excelled as a senior at nickel and as a punt returner. He was also one of the fastest players on the roster and hopes to clock a good time in front of scouts. 

A team captain in 2023, Isaac may be the player who can help his stock more than any Nittany Lion in the group. He had a fantastic week at the Senior Bowl and has snuck into the second round in a handful of mock drafts. 

“One of the big winners of Senior Bowl week, Isaac showed pass-rushing traits (quickness, flexibility, and strength) that project to starter level in the pros, despite being undersized at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds,” NFL.com’s Matt Miller wrote.

Dixon and King will head to Indy to help reestablish themselves after a down week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. Dixon suffered an injury midweek and left the event after completing interviews. King, who declared early for the Draft, had a rough go of it against some of the top receivers in the class.  

Penn State players have tested extremely well at the NFL Combine during the James Franklin era. This year should be no exception as Chuck Losey enters year three at the helm of the program’s strength and conditioning efforts. Before him, Dwight Galt III oversaw those dating back to 2014.

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