By: Pasquale Tartaro, GoPSUSports.com
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Jahan Dotson, Jaquan Brisker, Brandon Smith, and Tariq Castro-Fields were among the standout participants who showed off their skills in front of NFL personnel on Thursday during Penn State's annual pro day.
With representatives from all 32 teams in attendance, general managers John Lynch (San Francisco 49ers), Eric DeCosta (Baltimore Ravens), Brian Gutekunst (Green Bay Packers), and Jon Robinson (Tennessee Titans) made the trip to evaluate the group of 15 prospects.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, in addition to Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Ganno, were there to scout the Nittany Lions.
Two Penn State football lettermen, D'Anton Lynn and DeOn'tae Pannell were also in attendance. Lynn is currently the defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens while Pannell hold the WCF Minority Coaching Assistanship position with the Detroit Lions.
Dotson Shows Off Hands, Route Running
Known for his reliable catching ability and one of the most accomplished pass catchers in Penn State history (fourth in receiving yards, second in touchdowns), wide receiver Jahan Dotson didn't drop one pass throughout his position drills with his former quarterback Sean Clifford.
"Having that connection, it's huge for me," Dotson said about catching passes from Clifford for potentially one last time. "That's been my guy the past few years. I feel most comfortable with him. So, I made sure that he was going to be the guy out here throwing to me, and it was beautiful."
The standout wideout ran crisp routes, including three separate "go" routes, showcasing impressive tracking ability, awareness and body control.
"Catching the ball, I say this all the time, it feels therapeutic," Dotson said." It's something that I love."
Aside from on-the-field work, Dotson also showcased his strength, as he benched 225 pounds for 15 reps, which would have ranked second among receivers at the NFL combine.
"That was a big thing for me," Dotson said. "People always talk about my size. People talk about me basically having trouble in my game because I'm of such a small stature. I definitely wanted to prove that I'm a strong guy, that I can compete with the best. I've pretty much done it on film, so coming out here benching, throwing up a number, was big for me."
Prospects with Versatility on Defense
Listed at 6-1 and 206 pounds, safety Jaquan Brisker showed off his unique blend of size, quickness, and ball skills throughout position drills.
Several teams have asked the former transfer from Lackawanna Community College about playing all defensive back positions; it's his on-field fluidity and willingness to improve, according to Brisker, that should lead decision-makers to believe he can do so at an exceptional level.
"Throughout junior college and my time here, I've shown my versatility," Brisker said. "I showed you that I could play anywhere in the secondary, whether that's corner, nickel, boundary nickel and both sides."
Brisker recorded a 4.40-second 40-yard dash and a 38.5-inch vertical jump, both of which were personal improvements from the combine in Indianapolis (4.49-seconds and 34 inches). The three-year player also bench-pressed 22 reps of 225 pounds.
As for another prospect within Penn State's secondary, cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields—who had already caught scouts' attention with a 4.38 second 40-yard dash at the combine—confirmed following the workout that he is willing to play on the outside or at nickel corner.
Listed at 6-feet and 194 pounds, Castro-Fields posted a 37-inch vertical and a 10'11" broad jump, along with a 7.05-second 3-cone drill.
Likewise, defensive end Arnold Ebiketie, who led the Nittany Lions with 9.5 sacks a year ago, showcased traits that can bolster his productivity as a pass rusher in any NFL scheme.
"I think I'm versatile, fast enough to teach," Ebiketie said. "So, it's just the matter of what is asked of me at the next level."
Ebiketie, who spent his first three seasons at Temple, ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and a 6.95-second three-cone drill.
Although defensive end and linebacker Jesse Luketa proved that he could move along the front seven throughout the season, he wanted to "remove any doubt" regarding his ability to make sharp cuts.
"Being able to show that I can get in and out of my brace and move and change directions," Luketa said. "Some teams have been asking me where I feel the most comfortable, and I tell them that I play defense."
Hartlaub's Blazing Speed
Penn State safety Drew Hartlaub's speed was good enough to have his head coach stand up on a set of bleachers and make an announcement.
"He's very fast," Franklin said following one of Hartlaub's two 40-yard dash attempts.
Though unofficial, Hartlaub's time of 4.22 seconds would put him atop the list of players in this year's draft class who ran the 40-yard dash under 4.3 seconds (Baylor CB Kalon Barnes: 4.23 seconds; UTSA CB Tariq Woolen: 4.26 seconds; Baylor WR Tyquan Thornton: 4.28 seconds).
Special teams kicker Jordan Stout was quick to praise Hartlaub after his performance Thursday.
"It's so cool," Stout said. "In all these interviews I have through the Senior Bowl and combine, if they say, 'Who's one of the guys that you would bring with you that we wouldn't expect?' I say Drew Hartlaub every time. I've probably told 29 teams, 'You need to get Drew. He's going to be a special teams guy, be a gunner, and he's going to be really good at it.' And to come see him do as well as he did, I'm so happy for him. I hope he gets his opportunity."
A potential weapon on special teams at the next level, Hartlaub showed off agility once again throughout the shuttle and three-cone drills, where he posted times of 4.15 and 6.75 seconds, respectively.
"Fast. I mean, y'all saw it," Castro-Fields said. "He's one of the most athletic people on this team. I think he's the best gunner in America. There's nobody better than him at that position, so yeah, I wish him the best. He's a freak athlete, for sure."
Linebacker U Continues to Produce
Although linebacker Brandon Smith decided to keep his 40-yard dash time from the combine, his athleticism was on full display in field drills.
The mobile linebacker, who stands at 6-4, 244 pounds, recorded a 6.96-second 3-cone drill, and further proved himself as an intriguing long-term prospect.
"There really isn't any nerves to be honest with you. We're around all the guys that we've been in training with," Smith said. "It's really the best opportunity for me to continue to chase my dream."
Smith's positional counterpart this past season, Ellis Brooks, felt confident in the performance he put together throughout the afternoon.
Particularly, Brooks wanted to show scouts his fluidity, specifically in his hips, along with sideline to sidelines speed.
"I feel like I was able to show body control out there," Brooks said. "It was important I was able to do what I bring to the table, and I'm excited I got the opportunity to do it."
