Here are some Penn State prospects (positions played in college, stats not including 2007 bowl game): These are my assessments, but I think footballs futures scouting reports are largely spot on, except regarding Shaw.
Paul Posluszny, 6-2, 238, OLB, MLB (SLB, MLB) Played primarily SLB until this season, switched to MLB due to team needs. Was slowed early this season because of the position change and having to wear a knee brace from an injury in the 06 Orange Bowl (didnt require surgery). Got better as the season went along, having his strongest games at the end of the year. Three-year starter. Only the third junior to ever be chosen captain at Penn State. Two time Academic All-American. Penn States all-time leading tackler, leading tackler three consecutive seasons. Only player to be named Big Ten Player of the Week three consecutive weeks; only player to be named Big Ten POTW 5 times. Note: The defensive scheme doesnt utilize the LBs much on designed blitzes (see as opposed to the Texans with DeMeco).
Season Tk Solo As FR FF I Sack TFL PBU QBH
2003 36 25 11 1 0 1 0-0 2.5-5 1 0
2004 104 52 52 0 1 1 3-23 12-45 3 0
2005 116 64 52 0 0 0 3-21 11-38 3 1
2006 108 65 43 0 2 0 3-12 7-25 4 0
Strengths Great instincts/nose for the ball, tackling ability, smarts, hitting, leadership, drive, work habits, versatility. Good in coverage for a LB.
Weaknesses Needs to shed blockers better. Has good, but not great speed e.g., doesnt quite have the level of DeMecos closing speed. A bit undersized for a prototypical SLB or MLB, unlikely to be able to gain much more weight as he already added 10 lbs before this offseason.
Prediction Has proven hes fully back from his knee injury. Will play in the Senior Bowl. Likely mid-late first round. Honestly, I think his best position in the NFL would be MLB, so I'm not sure he'd be a great pick for the Texans unless they were willing to move DeMeco to WLB.
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=2255
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/paul_posluszny.html
Heres his hit on on a Minny RB
http://www.gopsusports.com/docs/video/poz_minn.html
Tim Shaw, 6-1, 237, WLB (OLB, MLB, standup DE, TB) Has played out of his natural position of WLB the the past two seasons due to team needs (after switching from TB) last season at MLB to accommodate Dan Connor, this season at standup DE to accommodate another stud Sean Lee (rememember the name for the 09 draft), compensate for the loss of two senior DEs, and take advantage of his athletic ability. Thus his stats are not reflective of his ability, as he was outstanding in the games he played as WLB, but lost the position due to injury and the emergence of Connor. Academic All-American. Learned how to shed blockers better this year with the position switch.
2005 MLB/WLB: 76 tackles (43 solo), 4.5 sacks, 5.5 TFL, 2 PBU, 2 FF
2006 Standup DE: 37 tackles (21 solo), 6.0 sacks, 6.0 TFL, 7 PBU, 1 QBH
Strengths Athleticism. Supposed sub-4.5 40 (more likely 4.5 range, but was the Michigan HS champ in the 100 meters) and pound for pound one of the strongest players on the team. Smart, great team player and work habits, versatility. Pass rushing ability.
Weaknesses Was he a product of being surrounded by great teammates?
Prediction Currently under the radar due to playing out of position and in the shadow of Poz and Connor. Played well in the Hula Bowl. His stock will rise as teams review tape from last season and see his combine numbers. Could go as high as 3rd, but more likely 4rd to 5th. Would be excellent value in the 4th.
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=1946
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/tim_shaw.html
Tony Hunt, 6-2, 230, RB The epitome of a north-south power runner. Many of us believe he and Michael Robinson made last years o-line look better than it was. And much like the Texans, Penn States o-line this season struggled mightily with injuries, inexperience, and ineptitude, unable to create running lanes or push off the line. Despite this, Hunt still had a good senior season, largely because of his ability to break tackles at the LOS. Hunt has some familiarity with zone concepts, as Penn State runs a version of inside zone blocking. Quiet, hard-working guy.
Season G Rushing AVG. LG TD Receiving AVG. LG TD
2003 9 34-110 3.2 16 1 2-0 0.0 2 0
2004 11 169-777 4.6 77 7 39-334 8.6 32 0
2005 12 174-1047 6.0 70 6 20-206 10.3 33 0
2006 12 246-1228 5.0 41 11 26-252 9.7 43 3
Strengths Outstanding blocking, very good receiving skills. Good feet for a big back, though not a home run threat. Very hard to bring down. Punishing.
Weaknesses Elusiveness. Doesnt have great acceleration. Needs to cut down on fumbles.
Prediction Likely 3rd to 4th round. If Dayne returns, I cant see the Texans having much interest, as I dont think hes enough of a threat to run outside or pick up big yardage, though hed be an upgrade in the pass-receiving department. Will play in the Senior Bowl.
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=2251
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/tony_hunt.html
Levi Brown, 6-5, 328, OT (LT) Was a DT, but has started at OT the past three years. The quintessential road grader. Hunts easiest runs were typically off LT. Most of the lines pass pro problems came from the right side. Why the staff never picked that up, I dont know. Didnt dominate as he did last year, though part of that may have been due to having arthroscopic surgery just before the season started - was better in the second half of the season.
Strengths Size, strength, leadership.
Weaknesses Not the most nimble. Inconsistent senior season.
Prediction 1st to early 2nd round, would probably be lower in a stronger class (i.e., if Baker and Long had declared). He has adequate footwork to be a traditional LT, though may be better suited at RT. He is probably not the best fit for a fully-implemented zone-blocking scheme, however. Higher boom/bust factor at LT. Will play in the Senior Bowl.
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=1926
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/levi_brown.html
Jay Alford, 6-3, 288, DT Despite losing two very good and one great pass-rushing linemate, Alfords production remained steady between this year and last. Good at both run-stopping and pass rushing as a one-gap player.
Season G Tk Solo As FR FF I Sack TFL PBU QBH
2003 10 25 12 13 1 0 0 1-9 2.5-12 3 1
2004 11 24 9 15 0 0 0 1.5-5 3.5-9 5 0
2005 12 37 16 21 1 1 0 8.5-57 11.5-63 2 1
2006 12 30 21 9 2 2 0 8-43 12.5-50 1 1
Strengths Very quick off the line, great motor. Great one-gap pass rusher for a DT.
Weaknesses A bit undersized and once engaged can get swallowed up; decent, but not great strength.
Prediction No idea. His stock seems to be picking up he was the 4th ranked DT coming into the season and a pre-season 2nd team AA, but dipped out of the picture despite his production. Great practices and a good game during Hula Bowl week. Anywhere from 3rd to late rounds Im guessing. The Texans might have some interest in him ior his pass rushing ability if they don't take a DT in the early rounds. However, Alford probably probably work best as a 3-4 DE or as an undertackle/3-technique with a NT type like Seth Payne or Robaire Smith beside him to tie up linemen. Would have been a good pick in 05 instead of TJ.
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=1923
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/jay_alford.html
Ed Johnson, 6-1, 290, DT Started as a sophomore but then lost a year due to disciplinary reasons. Good run stopper, similar to Alford, not as quick but stronger.
Season Tk Solo As FR FF I Sack TFL PBU QBH
2003 26 14 12 0 1 0 0-0 2.5-2 0 0
2004 21 12 9 0 0 0 0-0 4-7 2 0
2005 Did not play
2006 33 18 15 0 1 0 5-51 8.5-56 5 1
Strenths Motor. Strength.
Weaknesses Short, bowling ball stature.
Prediction Second Day. Like Alford had a great week of practices and a good Hula Bowl game.
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=3211
Jeremy Kapinos, 6-1, 235, P One of Penn States best punters ever, its a testimony to both the offenses ineptitude and Kapinos value to the team that he was considered for player of the game a few times this season, winning once. Twice Big Ten ST Player of the Week. Ray Guy finalist.
Season PUNTS YARDS AVG. LG BLK TB FC I20
50+
2003 68 2850 41.9 58 0 5 8 13
2004 61 2549 41.8 78 0 9 13 18
2005 61 2522 41.3 60 0 5 13 22
2006 57 2405 42.2 68 0 10 10 19
14
Strengths Can boom it or place it. Reliable. That means you, Chad.
Prediction With the way things look for punters and kickers, probably UDFA. Bring him or Sepulveda in to compete with the Hampton guy.
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=1939
BranDon Snow, 6-1, 242, FB The next coming of Moran Norris. Part of the reason Penn State had problems rushing against Akron of all teams was Snow being suspended for disciplinary reasons.
Season Rushing AVG. LG TD Receiving AVG. LG TD
2003 2-2 1.0 3 0 0-0 0.0 0 0
2005 10-24 2.4 7 3 2-12 6.0 7 0
2006 12-34 2.8 7 0 3-26 8.7 11 0
Strengths Blocking, blocking, and more blocking.
Weaknesses Not a great runner
Prediction Likely UDFA. Probably not a good fit for the Gulf Coast offense, but if you miss Norris
http://www.gopsusports.com/Football/people/Player.cfm?rosterid=1947