Penn State football nearly produced a monumental NFL Draft Saturday.
The Nittany Lions saw eight of their their 2023 players selected over three days in Detroit— coming up short of tying their largest draft class under the current seven-round format.
The Lions had 10 players chosen in 1996 — the group that was core of their 1994 Rose Bowl team, the school’s last undefeated season.
During Thursday's prime time first round, offensive lineman Olu Fashanu went with the 11th pick to the New York Jets while defensive end Chop Robinson landed 21st with the Miami Dolphins. On Friday, offensive tackle Caedan Wallace and edge rusher Adisa Isaac both went in the third round; Wallace 68th overall to the New England Patriots and Isaac 93rd to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Lions picked during Saturday's final rounds included Theo Johnson and offensive linemen Hunter Nourzad, and cornerbacks Kalen King and Daequan Hardy.
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When is Penn State football in the NFL Draft?
∎ Saturday: The fourth through seventh rounds. Coverage begins at noon on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network. Streaming is available on FuboTV (free trial).
More:2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land
NFL Draft live Penn State updates | Saturday
Follow along with live updates from Saturday's third and final session (rounds 4-7) right here by REFRESHING your browser and scrolling down. Or follow York Daily Record Penn State beat writer Frank Bodani on X (formally Twitter).
LIVE UPDATES: SATURDAY
LB Curtis Jacobs signs free agent deal with Kansas City Chiefs
Penn State's top linebacker in the NFL Draft didn't wait long to find a home.
Though Curtis Jacobs surprisingly did not get picked in Saturday's final four rounds of the draft, he did latch onto a team quickly.
Jacobs and former PSU teammate Hunter Nourzad will try to boost the Chiefs' quest for a third-straight Super Bowl victory.
7:05 p.m.: CB Kalen King was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 255th pick overall (35th of the seventh round)
Finally, Kalen King got his name called.
King was one of Penn State's biggest pre-draft enigmas in recent memory: How did an All-American with first-round draft pick hype truly fall to the final selections of the entire draft?
It all came from a quiet, rather unproductive junior season in 2023, which was followed by a disappointing winter postseason circuit.
He's still vastly talented, though. Though smaller in stature, King works best when relying on his physicality around scrimmage as a tackler and a pass-route disruptor.
5:45 p.m.: CB Daequan Hardy was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 219th pick overall (43rd of the sixth round)
Penn State Daequan Hardy's versatility could give him a long look in the league despite his small stature and lack of top-end defensive back speed. Hardy owns promise as a slot defender despite struggling with recovery acceleration and speed when needed. His punt returning skills may be most intriguing, considering his natural feel and sudden rise last fall.
His landing with the Bills proved impressive. Hardy's NFL Draft stock rose this winter and spring while former cornerback teammates Kalen King and Johnny Dixon fell in standing.
They were still undrafted heading into today's seventh round.
3:10 p.m.: OL Hunter Nourzad was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 159th pick overall (24th pick of the fifth round)
Hunter Nourzad is a proven across-the-board interior lineman, featuring impressive reliability and versatility. He deftly handled the difficult transition from guard to center in the Big Ten last year, showing promise there as a leader in the pros.
Two years after transferring from the Ivy League, Nourzad earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023.
12:30 p.m.: TE Theo Johnson was selected by the New York Giants with the 107th pick overall (7th pick of the fourth round)
Johnson is a proven producer who elevated his production in the second halves of the past two seasons. He owns rare size-speed-athleticism traits for his position that can make him a mismatch for even NFL defenses. He must improve his blocking to median-NFL levels to ensure early, extended playing time.
LIVE UPDATES: FRIDAY
11:02 p.m.: Edge Adisa Isaac was selected by the Baltimore Raves with the 93rd pick overall (30th pick of the third round).
Isaac is a high-level NFL Draft "Day Two" pick for his combination of pass-rushing intelligence, power and high-motor. He's a steady, balanced producer. Owns impressive size/quickness abilities to morph into an outside linebacker in time.
9:45 p.m.: OL Caedan Wallace was selected by the New England Patriots with the 68th pick overall (4th pick of the third round).
Wallace has been described as a "clock-puncher who plays with better fundamentals and technique than his highly-regarded teammate, (Olu) Fashanu,"according to an NFL.com analysis. He owns the requisite skills and position versatility to be a solid performer in the NFL despite a limited talent ceiling.
The most intriguing Penn State player on Day Two: Caedan Wallace
Offensive lineman Caedan Wallace's NFL Draft reputation is still rising.
A year ago, Wallace seemed pegged as a late-round selection, if he would be picked at all. He was that inconsistent with his play and injury-status.
But now?
The right tackle continues to impress, going from the 2023 season to the winter all-star game and workout circuits to the draft, itself. He could find his way in Friday's third round. He's one of the most experienced and test tackles still left on the board.
How many Penn State football players picked on Day Two?
Defensive end Adisa Isaac certainly will get his name called during Friday's second or third rounds, probably early.
He's the biggest draft lock tonight, followed by tight end Theo Johnson and longer-shot offensive linemen Caedan Wallace and Hunter Nourzad and linebacker Curtis Jacobs.
Wallace may be the most intriguing of the group after finally realizing his vast potential with much-improved consistency his senior season.
Each of those behind Isaac have big pre-draft ranges from experts, ranging from the second (Johnson) through the sixth round (Jacobs).
▶ Penn State football coach James Franklin makes it to NFL draft parties for Olu Fashanu, Chop Robinson in an hour
LIVE UPDATES: THURSDAY
10:39 p.m.: Chop Robinson selected 21st overall in the first round by the Miami Dolphins
Robinson is best known for stunning first-step speed and explosiveness rushing the passer from the edge. Often compared to NFL stars such as Myles Garrett and former Lion, Micah Parsons. He's received a prospect score of 6.7 from NFL.com, which the outlet categorizes as a “Year 1 starter.” A raw super force, though, he must quickly expand and refine his package of rush moves and counters and develop as run-stopper.
9:26 p.m.: Olu Fashanu selected with the 11th overall pick of the first round
Fashanu splashed onto the scene during his first college start in Penn State's bowl-game defeat to Arkansas following the 2021 season. Combines superior length, agility, work ethic and coachability into arguably the most potential-filled lineman, if not overall players, in the entire draft. He's "still learning to be less mechanical and more instinctive with his play," according to an analysis by NFL.com.
Time is getting close for Penn State's Olu Fashanu
The studious, well-grounded Nittany Lion left tackle is about to become an NFL Draft pick.
We're heading toward the second half of the Top 10 tonight. Fashanu may have his name called soon.
He seems to have a Penn State feel to his most special night.
How long will it take tonight, Penn State football fans?
Good-looking scene, right?
Offensive tackle Olu Fashanu should be the first Nittany Lion selected tonight with Chop Robinson later. Fashanu officially goes on "pick watch" at No. 9 with the Chicago Bears. Does he go by 9 p.m.?
Where does Olu Fashanu land? Well, If Caleb Williams has a say ...
The Chicago Bears expect to make quarterback Caleb Williams the first pick in tonight's draft.
The Bears pick again at No. 9.
Who should they take then?
Here's why it's Penn State's Olu Fashanu ...
How did Penn State football's Chop Robinson get his nickname?
Chop Robinson, an expected first-round pick late tonight, was a really big baby at birth.
How big, exactly? Well ...
The story does lead to his nickname that's forever stuck.
Check out this profile I did on Robinson leading into the 2023 season to get the full report ...
NFL Draft pregaming
▶ Where will Chop Robinson be drafted? Bucs, Lions lead list of 2024 NFL Draft landing spots
▶ 2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land
▶ 5 things Penn State football must do to elevate, reach playoffs in 2024
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him atfbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
