Penn State Pro Day primer: What we're watching for on Friday

Penn State Pro Day is here. NFL personnel from most if not all 32 NFL teams will be in State College today to see numerous former Nittany Lions in action. The group this year is not quite as large as it has been in years past thanks to numerous Senior Day participants electing to return for a final season in blue and white. But, the day will be full of intrigue nonetheless as all on hand aim to start the process they hope one day leads them to join the likes of Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki, Yetur Gross-Matos, and other past Nittany Lions who just signed new pro contracts in addition to ones like Trace McSorley and Grant Haley who will be back in town this weekend to help mentor the current team.

“Obviously we like our lettermen and our former players, especially the ones that are the guys in the NFL, to try to get back as much as they can to campus to have an influence over our current roster, to be supportive and be on the sideline for games,” James Franklin said Tuesday. “One of the things that’s happening this weekend is Trace and Grant are coming back to talk to our team about that 2016 Big Ten Championship team and try to get these guys back as much as we possibly can. Selfishly I think there’s a ton of value for Penn State football, and I know for our players.”

Here is our Pro Day primer.

Which former Penn State players will participate at Pro Day?

Penn State has not yet released this list. However, eligible participants include cornerbacks Kalen King, Daequan Hardy, and Johnny Dixon, safety Keaton Ellis, tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu, kicker Alex Felkins, tight end Theo Johnson, defensive ends Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, tight end Theo Johnson, interior offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad, running backs Trey Potts and Tank Smith, receiver Mason Stahl, and offensive lineman Caedan Wallace.

Who has the most to gain?

Let’s divide this into two categories: NFL Combine invitees and those who did not get a chance to compete at the annual invitational-only event in Indianapolis.

Of the first group, two Nittany Lions stand out. The first is cornerback Johnny Dixon. He did not test or do on-field work at the Combine after suffering an injury at the Senior Bowl. If he is healthy enough to take the field, which is surely the hope of him and his agent, it will be his last best chance to impress scouts from the next level. Offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad finds himself in a similar boat. He also did not participate in any Combine events due to injury.

As for non-Combine invitees, it’s hard to go with anyone other than Keaton Ellis for this pick. The safety will want to run well and can showcase his talents as a versatile defensive back during the field drills portion of the day.

Will Fashanu and Robinson do anything?

If the biggest question of the day centers on who has the most to gain, the second focuses on the top two Penn State Pro Day players. At the NFL Combine, offensive tackle Olu Fashanu hurt his leg in the 40-yard-dash and had to exit the event early. It’s unclear if he is healthy enough to work out on Friday. It’s also unclear if he even needs to as a likely top 10 pick and surefire first-rounder. As for defensive end Chop Robinson, he dominated at the Combine like most thought he would. Thus, he may not feel the need to do any testing at Pro Day. But, the on-field drills could be a chance for him to answer any lingering questions about whether he could fit into either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme.