A look at the complete Penn State 2022 NFL Draft class

The NFL Draft entry deadline has passed and the Senior Bowl is quickly approaching for Penn State draft hopefuls.

With a more complete picture now available, here’s a look at the Penn State players who declared or are out of eligibility. Projections are made using ESPN analyst Todd McShay’s top 300 rankings.

Wide receiver Jahan Dotson – Projected first-round pick

Standout Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson is the PSU player most commonly found in the first round of mock drafts, and it’s easy to see why. Dotson posted 1,182 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns for the Nittany Lions this season. He was the shining light on an offense that struggled to click for much of the season. His route running ability, hands and athleticism should make him a first-round selection on draft day.

Linebacker Brandon Smith – projected second-round pick

Brandon Smith surprised some when he elected to declare for the NFL Draft after his junior season. He made progress during his time with the Nittany Lions, but some onlookers felt there was more work to do in order to reach his ceiling. Smith finished the season with 81 tackles and nine tackles for loss, breaking up five passes and forcing a fumble. His testing numbers should make him an intriguing option for NFL teams.

Defensive end Arnold Ebiketie – projected second-round pick

There’s a case to be made that Arnold Ebiketie was Penn State’s best defensive player this season, and that’s noteworthy considering the other names on that side of the ball. He finished third in the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks, and second with 18 tackles for loss. Ebiketie also blocked two kicks and forced two fumbles. He certainly has the athletic makeup of a player who can succeed rushing the passer at the next level.

RELATED: Senior Bowl participant list grows for PSU with Tariq Castro-Fields

Safety Jaquan Brisker – projected second-round pick

Certainly, it’s not difficult to find a projection with Jaquan Brisker in the first round — and the same can be said for Ebiketie and Smith. McShay, however, has him in the back half of the second, after earning a first-team All-Big Ten nod in 2021. Brisker ended up with 63 tackles, five pass break ups, a fumble recovery and two picks this season. He also added six tackles for loss, doubling his total from a season ago.

Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields – projected third-round pick

Tariq Castro-Fields achieved his goal of staying healthy throughout the 2021 season, and Penn State’s pass defense was better for it. He was targeted 47 times according to Pro Football Focus, allowing 26 receptions for 335 yards and only one touchdown in 2021. His length should be an asset at the next level, and it will be interesting to see how he tests at Pro Day and the NFL Combine.

Defensive end/linebacker Jesse Luketa – projected fourth-round pick

Luketa split time between defensive end and linebacker this season, with the majority of those snaps coming at DE. Penn State’s coaching staff has said more than once that it feels defensive end is the position where Luketa has the strongest future. Given that he only played one season there at the college level, he could be an interesting project for an NFL team.

Other Penn State draft hopefuls

OL Mike Miranda: McShay has Miranda at 255th overall. He struggled in 2021, and, while he isn’t on Penn State’s roster, he hasn’t stated publicly whether he will enter the draft.

LB Ellis Brooks: Tabbed by McShay as the No. 306 overall prospect in the draft, Brooks is an interesting case. He made a considerable leap forward in his redshirt senior season, making 100 total tackles for the Nittany Lions.

P/K Jordan Stout: Stout turned himself into an elite punter in 2021, becoming a massive asset for the Nittany Lions in that regard. Punting jobs are hard to come by in the NFL, but should still get a look.

OL Rasheed Walker: Walker didn’t earn a place in McShay’s rankings. His name was thrown around before the season as a potential first-round pick, but his play did not match that level in 2021.

DT Derrick Tangelo: Tangelo proved to be a nice contributor for the Nittany Lions in 2021, after arriving from Duke. He played in 11 games for Penn State, making 29 tackles and 5.5 TFLs.

Others: Running back John Lovett and OL Eric Wilson are out of eligibility. Wideout Cam Sullivan-Brown, offensive lineman Anthony Whigan and defensive tackle Fred Hansard each have remaining eligibility but do not appear on Penn State’s 2022 roster. It’s unclear if they will pursue a pro career or other opportunities.