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Penn State preview with PFF's Max Chadwick: BWI Daily

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•03/01/23•

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Kalen King Penn State football On3
Penn State cornerback Kalen King is a future first-round draft pick, according to PFF's college analyst Max Chadwick. The team returns three players that Chadwick thinks should be first round material at this time next season. (Photo: Dan Althouse/BWI)

If you’ve read any internet message board, you know that college football fans have beef with PFF. But for Penn State fans, you might want to make an exception for college football analyst Max Chadwick. He’s the company’s lead college analyst and an unabashed Penn State fan. He sat down with host Thomas Frank Carr for what was supposed to be a 20-minute interview about the NFL Combine. Instead, they discussed the team for the upcoming season, the draft, and the unending battle of Will Levis vs Sean Clifford. Check out the full show for the conversation.

Chadwick excited to talk Penn State

While national analysts sometimes don’t have the intricately detailed knowledge of the fans who live and breathe a team daily, Chadwick is different. He’s a lifelong Penn State fan and was eager for the chance to chat about his favorite team,

“I’m supposed to be a neutral guy, but I’m still a huge, massive fan. I’ve been on Michigan podcast. I’ve been on an Ohio State podcast this morning this is a nice change of pace where it’s like not having to wax poetic about Michigan or Ohio State. I’m excited to talk some Penn State football.”

Before they get to the draft portion of the show, T-Frank asks Chadwick about an article he posted last month. In it, Chadwick selected from all available college football players to build a mock draft, not just the 2023 class. In that first round, Penn State landed three players, none of which were Joey Porter Jr. He explains,

“So in this special mock draft, he didn’t get in. But yeah, and you mentioned it. Kalen King, I love. I think he’s the better corner of the two [and] I think he is the star of that secondary. His single coverage grade was higher than almost every corner in the country. And yeah, I was super impressed with him. Chop Robinson is a guy that I am all in on.”

Chadwick then explains what he sees in each of those players before wrapping up with Penn State’s best returning player,

“And then, of course, everyone knows the guy that a lot of people think could be a top-ten pick in next year’s draft. He could be a top 20 pick in this year’s draft, Olu Fashanu, the left tackle for Penn State, who I have going late.”

Could the Nittany Lions push for CFP?

With all of that talent, Chadwick isn’t shy about his optimism for next year. What are the keys to reaching those expectations? First is the quarterback, followed by the players he throws the ball to each play,

“This is a team that could compete for the playoffs. They got all the talent in the world to do so. I think it really comes down to Drew [Allar]. I think it really comes down also to the receivers and I think Dante Cephas, the Kent State transfer is a big-time get,” Chadwick says.

Check out the show for the whole conversation, which includes a preview of the scouting combine, which begins on-field testing drills this Thursday.

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