PJ Mustipher to begin NFL career as a Denver Bronco
Sidelined due to injury midway through the 2021 season, the future prospects for PJ Mustipher appeared in doubt. Demanding his return for a bonus season of eligibility, Mustipher forced his way back onto the field for the Nittany Lions’ 2022 campaign.
And now, he’s heading to the NFL.
Capping his Penn State career with an All-Big Ten season, Mustipher was picked up Saturday as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos.
From the beginning of Manny Diaz’s tenure with the program, Mustipher emerged as a critical component to what he wanted to do with the Nittany Lions.
“To be great, you have to have guys like PJ who have the command and the respect of everybody on the defense, if not the team,” Diaz said. “And just for whatever reason, wherever I’ve been, when it’s bigger guys, there’s something to be said about that. It gets back to when we were first graders in the schoolyard, little people like to follow big people. PJ is unique kid. He’s great leader. He’s very smart, intelligent.”
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Mustipher will now have the opportunity to present those qualities in the NFL.
PJ Mustipher scouting report
A look at Mustipher’s prospects at the next level, from Sports Info Solutions:
“Mustipher has the tools and football intelligence to be an impact two-down run stuffer in the NFL, but he needs to improve as a pass rusher in order to see time as a starter or three-down player.”
Next steps for Penn State
Mustipher wasn’t necessarily a stat-sheet stuffer. He finished his final season with the Nittany Lions with 38 tackles, 1 TFL and 1 QBH. But, Penn State is still looking to replace his hole-filling presence as a run defender. As a result, Mustipher’s absence looms large over the 2023 season.
“Like I mentioned, we’re in a good place right now,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said. “But I think we need some more depth and more competition at D-Tackle.”
