After all the hoopla surrounding the first round NFL draft, Saquon Barkley will be joined in the NFL with a full complement of teammates from the 2017 team.  On draft day, the pundits were all aflutter with mock drafts and touting the great class of NFL ready QB’s in the draft.  While Cleveland had the first pick, the NY Giants were waiting to see if the Browns would opt to draft Barkley at #1 and follow that with a quarterback at 4.  As it turns out, the Browns selected Oklahoma Heisman winner Baker Mayfield.  That put the Giants in the catbird seat as they quickly selected the Penn State RB who posted unbelievable NFL combine numbers.  The next Lion off the Board was Mike Gesicki at #42 to the Miami Dolphins.  Gesicki was a solid second-round selection who was followed by:

• Round 4 – Pick 109: Washington Redskins select S Troy Apke
• Round 4 – Pick 113: Denver Broncos select WR DaeSean Hamilton
• Round 5 – Pick 148: Pittsburgh Steelers select S Marcus Allen
• Round 6– Pick 182: Arizona Cardinals select CB Chris Campbell 

  This is the strongest Nittany Lions showing in the draft since 2010 when 6 Lions entered the NFL.  What is amazing is that the NFL may not be finished with Penn State alumni. Free-agent prospects include cornerback Grant Haley, linebacker Jason Cabinda, defensive tackles Curtis Cothran and Parker Cothren, receiver Saeed Blacknall and offensive lineman Brendan Mahon.  This group includes some bonafide prospects, so expect to see their names appended to NFL camp invitees this spring.

Apke was expected to be in this undrafted group as well, or, perhaps being taken in the later rounds of this draft, but his stellar combine opened eyes and made the PSU safety a bargain 4th rounder. Seems like the program is producing results and the good news is that recruits will be sure to notice the strength of the Penn State reputation among the NFL GM’s.  Let’s remember this class of athletes for the great seasons they produced while in Happy Valley and wish them well as they move on.  We are…