Fashanu ‘80% healthy’ as draft prospects participate
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Scouts, coaches and players from the NFL level descended into State College on Friday for Penn State’s pro day. The event aimed to highlight the program’s 13 draft prospects, hoping to boost their stocks before beginning their professional careers in April.
James Franklin, Saquon Barkley and Trace McSorley watched as the Nittany Lions’ next crop of professional talent showcased their skills in front of NFL personnel.
Here’s a breakdown of all things newsworthy from Friday’s pro day:
Fashanu ‘around 80%’ healthy
All eyes were on Penn State’s consensus All-American offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, a projected top-15 pick whose draft combine was cut short after sustaining a quad injury.
While Fashanu did participate in blocking drills, he said he’d place his health at “around 80%” but believes he’ll “definitely” be fully healthy “way before” the draft on April 25.
“After this, I’m just gonna get back to my rehab, continue that and just get better,” said Fashanu, who did not allow a sack over more than 680 passblocking snaps across the past two seasons.
Robinson makes 1st-round pitch
After Fashanu, defensive end Chop Robinson is most likely to hear his name called in April.
Robinson said he “100%” believes he’s worthy of a first-round selection after a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection and a stellar performance at the draft combine, where he ran a 4.48second 40-yard dash.
“I mean, I’m a guy who shows up every single day, gives everything I got and I’m consistent with everything I do,” Robinson said. “I got the best getoff and the best bend, and you can’t teach. That’s very natural.”
Robinson, who transferred from Maryland to the Nittany Lions before the 2022 season, said Penn State “changed” his life.
“Just being around those guys and having coach Deion (Barnes) pushing you, it’s a blessing because you don’t really get that from everywhere else,” Robinson said.
King not looking for ‘validation’
Once considered a future first-round pick after an All-American sophomore year in 2022, Kalen King’s stock tanked over a junior season that saw his targets drop significantly and a combine with subpar results.
King, who improved his 40-yard dash time from 4.61 to 4.52 at Friday’s pro day, said he’s not concerned about when he may hear his name called. He’s been projected as a Day 2 pick at best.
“I’m not really here to look for the validation of others or what other people think about me because I know what I bring to a team and I know the work that I put in,” King said. “I’m not
really looking like I need to be a firstround pick. I don’t approach anything like that.”
Johnson next in line of TEs
Nittany Lions tight end Theo Johnson saw his stock rise likely as much as any of his teammates over the course of the pre-draft process. Johnson, who’s 4.57-second 40-yard dash ranked second among tight ends at the combine, looked fluid as he caught passes from quarterback Drew Allar on Friday.
Johnson said he recently spoke with Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth and the Jacksonville Jaguars’
Brenton Strange, who both visited the Penn State campus this week.
“Big part of why I came to Penn State is the lineage of tight ends that came through here,” Johnson said. “As soon as I walked in the door, I wanted to leave my own mark on it. I feel like I’ve done that and I feel good that I’m continuing the tradition.”
Hardy looks to carry torch
Cornerback Daequan Hardy has the opportunity to become the first Penn Hills grad drafted to the NFL since Treyvon Hester in 2017.
After running a stellar 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine, Hardy is hopeful to hear his name called.
Hardy served as the Nittany Lions’ primary nickel cornerback over the past three seasons, a role that NFL teams have asked him most about, though he’s “given them the option” to play him on the outside or at safety.
Hardy, who returned two punts for touchdowns in the same game this past season, has also been viewed by teams as a potential special teams option.
Dixon out for pro day
Penn State cornerback Johnny Dixon, who opted out of the Peach Bowl before a hip injury at the Senior Bowl ended his pre-draft process, said he’s two to three weeks away from being able to do a workout.