The Penn State NFL Draft Roundup
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Penn State won the Big Ten title at the 2022 NFL Draft, a consolation prize for a team that went 4-5 in the conference last season and finished fourth in the East Division.
NFL teams selected eight Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft, with Jahan Dotson becoming the first Penn State receiver selected in the first round since 2003. Penn State finished with two more draft picks than Ohio State, which had two receivers selected in the first round, and three more than Big Ten champion Michigan.
Penn State ranked fourth nationally behind Georgia (15), LSU (10) and Cincinnati (nine).
In all, the eight picks marked the best Penn State draft under head coach James Franklin and the program's best since 10 players were drafted in 1996. Penn State continues to rack up draft picks under Franklin: 31 in the last five years, the program's best such stretch since 1992-96 (36).
The 2022 Penn State Draft List
- Round 1: Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders (No. 16)
- Round 2: Arnold Ebiketie, Atlanta Falcons (No. 38)
- Round 2: Jaquan Brisker, Chicago Bears (No. 48)
- Round 4: Brandon Smith, Carolina Panthers (No. 120)
- Round 4: Jordan Stout, Baltimore Ravens (No. 130)
- Round 6: Tariq Castro-Fields, San Francisco 49ers (No. 221)
- Round 7: Rasheed Walker, Green Bay Packers (No. 249)
- Round 7: Jesse Luketa, Arizona Cardinals (No. 256)
Five Lions drafted Saturday
After Dotson, Ebiketie and Brisker were drafted during the first two days, Penn State sent five players to the NFL on Saturday. Among them were late-rounders Tariq Castro-Fields and Rasheed Walker, Jesse Luketa.
Castro-Fields heads to San Francisco, where he joins former Lions Kevin Givens and Robbie Gould. The cornerback became the 37th Penn State defensive back to be drafted.
"I am confident Tariq will make a seamless transition into the NFL and bring with him a veteran presence few rookies possess," Franklin said.
Walker was among Penn State's tougher draft reads, a "true wild-card guy," according to NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, whose size and athleticism didn't always match his tape. In addition, an injury sidelined Walker during the season's final three games and at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Still, Walker has an opportunity to put that enormous potential to use in Green Bay.
"Rasheed is extremely deserving of this opportunity with the Packers," offensive line coach Phil Trautwein said. "He is a tremendous talent who is strong, athletic and has great footwork. Rasheed decided to come back for another season with us and clearly laid out his goals and worked really hard at achieving them."
Meanwhile, Luketa gets his opportunity in Arizona, where he will join former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley. Luketa, drafted as a linebacker, could fill multiple roles with the Cardinals.
"In drafting Jesse Luketa, the Cardinals just selected a player who absolutely loves the game of football,” Franklin said. "I am a huge fan of Jesse and am proud of all he has accomplished within our program."
The Arizona Cardinals selected Penn State's Jesse Luketa in the 7th round.
Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today Sports
Jordan Stout, 'steal of the draft'?
Franklin said he expected Stout to be the draft's highest-selected specialist. The head coach was close. Stout was the highest-drafted punter and the No. 2 specialist, going six picks after LSU kicker Caleb York.
Stout, the Big Ten punter of the year, was Penn State's first drafted specialist since David Kimball in 2004 and the first punter drafted since John Bruno in 1987. Stout also is the highest-drafted punter in Penn State history.
"He will absolutely be the steal of the draft with how much value he can bring to an organization," said Penn State special teams analyst Eric Raisbeck, who worked with Stout last season. "He is an elite talent, mentally tough and a great young man. He already has a professional approach to his craft and that will carry him through a long NFL career."
Brandon Smith a 'great fit' in Carolina
In December 2018, before playing in a high school all-star game in Orlando, Brandon Smith said he had a very specific plan for his time at Penn State. Smith intended to develop enough skills over three years to take the next step in his career.
Smith kept that promise to himself, and on Saturday was drafted by the Panthers. Smith is among the most athletic linebackers in the draft, a 6-3, 250-pound player who can run a 4.5 40-yard dash and hit with ferocity. He also tested exceptionally well at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Yet Smith, the 71st linebacker to be drafted in Penn State history, remains a "work in progress," according to NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
"He will be a great fit for the Panthers organization," Franklin said. "With an impressive combination of size and speed, Brandon has all the tools to be a successful NFL linebacker."
Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith went to Carolina in the fourth round.
Safety Jaquan Brisker heads to Chicago
The Chicago Bears selected All-American safety Jaquan Brisker in the second round, getting a player who became one of the nation's top defensive backs last season. Chicago selected Brisker at No. 48 overall.
Brisker could have left for the draft after Penn State's disappointing 2020 season, considering he already was on several draft boards. But he returned along with Dotson and cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields to make a difference. He certainly did that personally, making seven All-America teams and being voted Penn State's defensive MVP.
"The Chicago Bears just drafted a tremendous athlete and leader in Jaquan Brisker, who will make an immediate impact on their organization," Penn State coach James Franklin said in a statement.
What are the Bears getting in Brisker? Here's a scouting report from NFL Draft Bible.
"Overall, he is a solid athlete with a good platform to develop, but there are a lot of kinks left to iron out in his game," NFL Draft Bible writes. "He is fairly smooth in coverage with good mobility, has solid functional strength and good eyes. Seems to have a very good understanding and the ability to communicate pre-snap. He needs to fix his technique, both in coverage and in run defense to make him a better finisher on reps."
Read More
Jahan Dotson ends a long draft drought for Penn State
Arnold Ebiketie fulfills his mission at the NFL Draft
How Carolina coach Matt Rhule helped Penn State land its new athletic director
AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
