Penn State UDFA tracker post-2024 NFL Draft
Penn State football had eight players drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, but three prominent Nittany Lions defenders didn’t hear their names during the three-day event. However, not every Penn State player heard their name called. Check out our UDFA tracker for the remaining Nittany Lions.
Curtis Jacbos signs with Super Bowl Champion
Linebacker Curtis Jacobs, a three-year starter for Penn State, signed a UDFA contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night after the three-day draft had concluded. The Chiefs also selected Jacobs’ teammate, Hunter Nourzad, in the fifth round of the draft earlier in the day.
Jacobs was a mainstay on the Penn State defense for three seasons. He tallied 105 career tackles, 24 TFLs, two interceptions, and one forced fumble for the Nittany Lions. The Penn State linebacker also appeared in 45 career games.
After his final game for the Nittany Lions, Jacobs made the decsion to bulk up for the NFL Draft. He showed up at the NFL combine in February at 241 pounds and still ran a sub-4.60 40-yard dash. He also jumped 35 inches in the vertical and added a 10-9 broad jump during the Penn State Pro Day.
Unfortunately for Jacobs, he never got a chance to prove that he could play in the box as a linebacker. The emergence of Abdul Carter meant that Jacobs spent a large number of snaps playing field linebacker, a position that doesn’t exist in the NFL. However, Jacobs will get a chance to prove he can play between the tackles for the Chiefs.
Penn State players who weren’t invited to the Combine
The top name without a team after the draft is cornerback Johnny Dixon. Like Jacobs, Dixon was a multi-year starter for the Penn State defense who participated in 37 games over three years after transferring from South Carolina in 2021. Dixon started for two seasons, amassing 18 passes defensed in two years, according to Penn State’s official stat book.
Of the players not invited to the 2024 NFL Combine, Alex Felkins and Keaton Ellis are the two names that have a chance to find a home after the draft. Ellis found his home with the Tennessee Titans.
Players with Penn State associations
Former Lions commit Judge Culpepper found a new home after the draft.
Culpepper committed to Penn State as a four-star defensive tackle in 2019 before transferring and playing three seasons for Toledo.
He only had a short stay, but former Penn State cornerback Storm Duck is also headed to Florida.
Duck transferred to Happy Valley ahead of the 2023 season but felt that he wasn’t going to see enough playing time with the Nittany Lions after spring camp. Duck hopped back into the portal and played the 2023 season with the Louisville Cardinals. Duck intercepted four passes this past season.
Updated at 9:30 pm
Pennsylvania native and Penn State change of pace back Trey Potts signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after going undrafted. Potts had 125 rushing yards on 25 attempts for the team last season. The 5-9, 202 pound running back ran a 4.60 40-yard dash at the team’s Pro Day.
