Which Penn State player is among the group capable of running the fastest 40 at the NFL Combine?: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Feb. 29 include a Nittany Lion who could make waves at the NFL Combine, headlines of the day, and more.
It’s time to dive into Thursday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with the NFL Combine. On-field drills at Lucas Oil Stadium start today with the defensive line and linebackers taking center stage. On Friday, defensive backs will go through testing, including the 40-yard dash. NFL.com expert Eric Edholm picked 20 names to know who could clock the fastest sprint in Indianapolis. One of them is from Penn State: Cornerback Daequan Hardy.
“The high school track star became a return ace for the Nittany Lions, with a pick-six in 2021 and two punt-return touchdowns vs. UMass last season,” Edholm writes. “He also showed off his speed at the East-West Shrine Bowl and could be a real contender on the Lucas Oil Stadium track.”
Shrine Bowl director of football operations and player personnel Eric Galko told NFL.com that Hardy would “be my bet for fastest player overall.” The Pittsburgh native is hoping to elevate his stock at the Combine. His 5.69 prospect grade from NFL.com currently projects him as a practice squad player who would have an outside chance of making a team’s 53-man roster.
Top 10
- 1New
New ESPN Top 25
ESPN updates Top 25 after Week 5
- 2Hot
Predicting AP Top 25
Alabama moves to No. 1?
- 3
Kirby defends record
'What’s everybody else’s record against them?'
- 4Hot
He's only 17
Alabama WR Ryan Williams makes clutch play down the stretch vs. Georgia
- 5
DeBoer's 1st SEC Win
Alabama makes statement, knocks off Georgia at home
“He plays with excellent positioning and timing to disrupt catch attempts down the field and in tight quarters, but handling the physicality of the NFL could be a steep challenge for him,” NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein writes. “Hardy is a solid punt returner and can compete for gunner reps but might not have the suddenness and size to stand out in those respective roles.”
Headlines of the day
NFL combine preview: How Penn State CB Johnny Dixon can boost his draft stock: McGonigal, PennLive
Penn State moving Abdul Carter to defensive end excites former teammates; here’s why: Pickel, BWI
Scouting Penn State’s Spring To-Do List on Offense: Ralph, SI
Trimmings: Who’s showing out on Penn State’s offensive line in winter workouts?: Fitz, BWI
Former Penn State, NFL kicker Robbie Gould earns high school coaching job: Haas, Daily Collegian
Penn State pair find new homes in Mel Kiper’s latest NFL mock draft: Pickel, BWI
NCAA proposing three signing periods for updated recruiting calendar: Shelton, On3
Quote of the day
“I’m definitely closest with Penn State for now because I’ve been there the most and they were one of the first big schools to offer me. I’m really comfortable with (co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach) Ty (Howle)and his tight end room. Penn State has been very great so far and right now, I would put them as one of my top schools.”
–Four-star Class of 2025 TE Andrew Olesh to On3 about the Nittany Lions.
