3 Penn State players land in ESPN 2024 mock draft: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for May 5 focus on a new 2024 NFL mock draft from ESPN analyst Todd McShay.
It’s time to dive into Friday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with the latest media mock that looks ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft. ESPN analyst Todd McShay has three current Penn State players going in next year’s first round. The first is left tackle Olu Fashanu, who McShay projects as the No. 9 overall selection to New England.
“I actually think Fashanu could go even higher, and he only fell to No. 9 here because teams with earlier picks have different projected needs,” McShay writes. “That isn’t the case with the Patriots, who are relying on Trent Brown and Riley Reiff — both are 30 or older — to keep Mac Jones clean in the pocket.
“Fashanu has the length and quickness to develop into an elite pass-blocker, with the ability to erase speed rushers, take away inside moves and anchor at the top of his set. At 6-foot-6 and 321 pounds, he’s also strong enough to move defenders off the ball in the run game. Fashanu played 520 snaps at left tackle last season and didn’t allow a single sack.”
Next on the list is preseason All-American cornerback Kalen King. McShay has the player whose movements “appear effortless” at No. 16 to the Las Vegas Raiders. Eight picks later, All-Big Ten defensive end Chop Robinson goes at No. 24 to the Baltimore Ravens.
“Robinson had a good 2022 season despite no sack production,” McShsay writes. “He didn’t start a game for the Nittany Lions but still accumulated 13.5 tackles for loss and 26 pressures. Baltimore needs more playmaking pass-rushers, and Robinson could be a good fit.”
Headlines of the day
Which are richest and poorest football programs in Big Ten? (And where do the new L.A. schools fit in?): Jones, PennLive
Penn State locks up official visit with another rising On300 prospect: Snyder, BWI
Penn State Releases More Details of $700 Million Beaver Stadium Renovation: Wogenrich, SI
Q&A: New Penn State commit Eagan Boyer opens up on decision, future plans and more: Fitz, BWI
Former Penn State cornerback John Reid claimed off waivers by Minnesota Vikings: Haas, Daily Collegian
Penn State AD Pat Kraft details decision on Beaver Stadium renovation plan, next steps: Bauer, BWI
Numerous key figures suggest Lions’ program in strongest shape in decades: Giger, DKPittsburghSports
Quote of the day
“I don’t think we need a new stadium. I think preserving Beaver Stadium was a really important part of it. Just because it means so much.”
–PSU AD Pat Kraft to BWI on why the school chose to renovate part of Beaver Stadium instead of potentially rebuilding it or renovating all of it.
