Penn State players who stood out in Week One of NFL preseason action
Penn State football was well represented in the first week of NFL action this preseason. Of course, you probably couldn’t catch every game, so we’ve compiled the most note-worthy performances of the weekend. This list consists of players that played at least 20 snaps for their teams this week. PFF provides stats for today’s recap.
Penn State offensive standouts
Offensive line pass protection perfection
Both former Penn State offensive linemen Connor McGovern and Will Fries played significant snaps for the Cowboys and Colts during Week One. Neither McGovern nor Fries surrendered pressure during their contests. Fries played on the right side for Penn State but was operating at left guard in relief of All-Pro Quenton Nelson. Fries was a 7th-round pick for the Colts last season.
McGovern waited patiently on the Cowboys depth chart for his chance to play after being drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. However, with Connor Williams heading to the Dolphins this offseason, McGovern will finally have a chance to start for the Cowboys in 2022.
Former Penn Sate legend gets start for Cardinals
Former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley got the start for the Cardinals, who sat Kyler Murray for the contest. He finished 13-22 for 163 yards and a touchdown while rushing four times for 32 yards. While Colt McCoy is the primary backup for Arizona on the depth chart, McSorley has the chance to play his way into that spot this year with a solid preseason.
Dotson had quiet debut with Commanders
Jahan Dotson’s first NFL game didn’t produce much to write about. The first-round receiver was on the field for 22 plays but didn’t receive a single target.
Pen State transfer Irv Charles getting a chance with Jets
Former Penn State receiver Irv Charles still looks like one of the most dominant players on the field when lined up out wide for the New York Jets. However, just like at Penn State before he transferred, that tantalizing potential hasn’t arrived. Charles was targeted three times with two contested targets. He didn’t come down with any of his targets. That includes a touchdown in the endzone that popped out of his hands when he hit the ground. Charles
Yet to Play:
Nick Bowers saw action for the Raiders in the Hall of Fame game already but will face former special team gunner Dan Chisena when Las Vegas and Minnesota face off Sunday afternoon.
Penn State defensive standouts
Brandon Smith continues to be Brandon Smith
In less than 30 snaps, former Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith summed up his Penn State career. He had a highlight hit that led to a pass breakup, made one tackle, and had an ugly missed tackle. But with his coverage skills showing up already, he might turn out to be a better NFL player than a college linebacker.
The same goes for Jesse Luketa
Like Smith, Jesse Luketa picked up right where he left off at Penn State. He had an excellent day against the run for the Cardinals, tallying one stop and playing sound run defense in the Cards route of the Bengals.
But Luketa still doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher. He only managed one pressure on 22 snaps, which is in line with his performance last season for the Nittany Lions. Luketa lined up primarily as an outside linebacker for Arizona and didn’t see any snaps at off-ball linebacker during the game.
Grant Haley has up-and-down performance
Former Penn State standout Grant Haley played most of the game for the Rams and had a solid day in run defense against the Chargers. Haley tallied seven tackles from the slot with only one missed opportunity. However, he struggled to play in coverage, with six receptions on nine targets for 47 yards.
Penn State standout Brisker has flashy debut
Penn State defensive back Jaquan Brisker won the day on social media with a big hit that led to a pass breakup and cleanup tackle for loss for the Bears.
But PFF wasn’t as kind to the former second-round pick, with a 51.0 coverage grade on three targets. He allowed two receptions for 20 yards, rounding out a much more boom-or-bust performance for his first game than Penn State fans were used to last year.
Arnold Ebiketie
Arnold Ebiketie tallied one QB hit and a hurry, according to PFF. Those two pressures on only 12 rushes is a good rate for the second-round draft pick. The former Penn State edge rusher also tallied a stop in run defense.
Penn State transfer Daniel Joseph sighting
Former Penn State defensive end Daniel Joseph had a moment for the Bills where he gathered a sack of Sam Ehlinger during the Bill’s victory over the Colts. That sack, however, was a bit of luck for the Bills, as the former Penn Stater and NC State Wolfpack defensive end horse collared Ehlinger.
Joseph also only got one pressure on 26 pass-rushing attempts, which helped the Colts keep a lead late into the fourth quarter. Joseph contributed a tackle along with his sack on 38 defensive snaps.
