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Penn State football newcomers take in Pro Day: Photos

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel03/25/22GregPickel

Penn State football held its annual Pro Day on Thursday.

Many of the program’s newcomers were on hand.

They watched as 14 Nittany Lions participated in drills for NFL scouts. Offensive tackle Rasheed Walker was at the event, too, but didn’t participate due to an undisclosed injury.

“It’s an honor as well, just to be out here to continue the legacy,” defensive end Jesse Luketa said. “We try to pride ourselves on being the most competitive environment possible. So, having 15 people here competing is everything.

“We want to show that, you come to Penn State, you have the opportunity to get a great education and at the same time, an opportunity to go and pursue your dreams to play in the National Football League. This is what we do. It’s why you come to Penn State.”

The new Penn State players who stopped by between classes to watch former Nittany Lions they never played with in action hope to one day be in their shoes. And, a new assistant visited Holuba Hall to check things out, too.

Here are our photos of newcomers from Pro Day. You can see our full gallery from the event here.

Penn State newcomers on offense

  • penn-state-newcomers-see-pro-day
    Lions receiver Kaden Saunders.
  • penn-state-newcomers-see-pro-day
    New Nittany Lions tight end Jerry Cross.
  • Mitchell Tinsley is new to Penn State. However, he still came to Pro Day to cheer on former Nittany Lions.
  • penn-state-newcomers-see-pro-day
    Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar at PSU Pro Day.
  • penn-state-newcomers-see-pro-day
    Kaden Saunders.
  • penn-state-newcomers-see-pro-day
    Quarterback Beau Pribula at the Nittany Lions’ Pro Day.
  • Gatorade national high school football player of the year Nicholas Scott watches Pro Day after going though his first two spring practices at Penn State.
  • penn-state-newcomers-see-pro-day
    Nittany Lions receiver Kaden Saunders.
  • penn-state-newcomers-see-pro-day
    Mitchell Tinsley.
  • penn-state-newcomers-see-pro-day
    Rceiver Omari Evans.

New Nittany Lions on defense

  • Nittany Lion newcomers Beau Pribula (far left), Jerry Cross, Zane Durant, and Nicholas Singleton.
  • Defensive tackle Zane Durant.
  • New Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz isn’t a player, of course. However, he is new to Penn State, so we include him here. (Photo by Thomas Frank Carr)
  • Zane Durant (left) and Drew Allar. (Photo by Thomas Frank Carr)

What’s next for Penn State?

For the Pro Day participants, they will either remain in State College or return home while lining up interviews and visits with NFL teams prior to the Draft. Thursday was the last large hurdle to clear, but other little ones remain before the selection process starts.

As for the current team, it will be back on the field Saturday for spring practice number three. Head coach James Franklin and his staff are also hosting a coaches clinic this weekend. It is expected to bring many high school staffers to town with recruits in tow. Stay tuned to Blue-White Illustrated for the latest news and notes.