Penn State at the NFL Combine: How, when, to watch the Lions in Indianapolis this week
The NFL Combine is here in and around Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The first players go through media interviews Wednesday before hitting the field for testing on Thursday. From there, everyone will work out in front of NFL head coaches and personnel from all 32 teams. Penn State has 10 former players at the event, which sees field work completed Thursday through Sunday. Here’s how you can follow it.
Which Penn State players are in Indy?
Tight end Theo Johnson is joined by Olu Fashanu, Hunter Nourzad, and Caedan Wallace on offense. On the defensive side of the ball, the Nittany Lions will be represented by linebacker Curtis Jacobs, defensive ends Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac, plus cornerbacks Johnny Dixon, Kalen King and Daequan Hardy.
What’s the on-field workout schedule?
Thursday, Feb. 29: Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac, Curtis Jacobs
Friday, March 1: Theo Johnson, Johnny Dixon, Daequan Hardy, Kalen King
Saturday, March 2: None.
Sunday, March 3: Olu Fashanu, Hunter Nourzad Caedan Wallace
How can I watch Penn State players at the NFL Combine?
NFL Network has live coverage starting at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday. The start time is moved up to Noon ET on Saturday and Sunday.
What can the Nittany Lions prove in Indianapolis?
Fashanu aims to lock himself in as a top-10 pick. Robinson, then, is trying to bolster his stock enough to find his way into the first round, which has become a polarizing debate in draft circles.
“Robinson grades out as an A-plus athlete, with his cat-like quickness and explosive finishes jumping off the tape,” Bucky Brooks writes for NFL.com. Though Robinson’s supreme athleticism did not translate into elite production as a collegian (he totaled 10.5 career sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in two seasons at Penn State and one at Maryland), the Penn State product is an intriguing developmental prospect, due to his explosiveness and non-stop motor.
“While his game has a “boom or bust” feel, the junior is one of the best athletes at his position, which could enhance his value in meeting rooms. His upside and potential could tempt a coach to take a chance on him.”
The other Penn State players will either be trying to cement themselves in the Day 2 conversation or work themselves up from the back half of Day 3 to somewhere better. It will be interesting, too, to see who catches the eye of the public as one of the best testers at the event. Our money is on it being either Johnson or Isaac.
