What We Learned From Penn State Pro Day
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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Penn State's Pro Day took a relatively quiet tone Friday at Holuba Hall, where more than a dozen former Nittany Lions interviewed with, and auditioned for, NFL scouts. Actually, most players limited their testing, particularly those who generated strong workouts at the recent NFL Scouting Combine.
Still, this was an important day for several players either to make one more impression or a better impression than they had in the past. So let's have a look around Penn State Pro Day.
Kalen King: "I'm really a game-speed guy"
The cornerback did not have a great NFL Combine, finishing second-last among cornerbacks in the 40-yard dash (4.61 seconds) and recording a mid-level Relative Athletic Score. So King wanted to improve that 40 time at Pro Day, which he did with a 4.52. King also said that the testing didn't matter much to him.
"I feel like I did very well. I answered a lot of questions, especially today," King said. "The way I look at it is, all this combine stuff and all these testing things, I feel like it’s important but not really. My game is what really speaks for myself, not my 40. I’m just excited to get started, get back to football and I’m finally done with all this."
Penn State cornerback Kalen King runs the 40-yard dash during Penn State Pro Day at Holuba Hall in State College.
Dan Rainville/USA Today Sports
Johnny Dixon will be ready for rookie minicamps
The Penn State cornerback sustained a hip injury before the NFL Draft Combine and did not work out. Dixon said Friday that he's 2-3 weeks from being "fully recovered" and conducted his interview without crutches, a good sign. He did not have surgery.
"I've been through worse," Dixon said. "It's just realizing that my journey isn't over, my story isn't over. And I know that I'm going to make it through and still be everything I want to be."
Regarding his decision not to join the team in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl, Dixon said, "It was tough and [there was] a lot that went into it. I decided not to go and to go train [for the combine]."
Chop Robinson says he's '100 percent' a first-rounder
The defensive end's name has swayed in and out of round in pre-draft mocks, with one analyst grading Robinson in the second round. But after his strong combine performance, Robinson might be trending upward again. Not that he needed the validation. Asked whether he considers himself a first-rounder, Robinson said, "100 percent."
"I’m a guy who shows up every single day and gives everything I got," Robinson said. "I’m consistent with everything I do. I’ve got the best get-off and the best bend. You can’t teach that. That’s very natural for me."
Added Robinson said, "I don’t pay attention to any mock drafts. Wherever I end up — first, second, third round, fourth round — doesn't matter to me. They’re going to get the same player regardless of the pick."
Questions for Olu
Olu Fashanu, Penn State's first-round pick at left tackle, worked through some position drills Friday after sustaining a minor injury during the combine. He moved well and didn't appear limited. He also has spent the combine answering nearly as many questions about his teammates as he did about himself.
"That's something that I can talk about all day long," Fashanu said. "Whatever teams draft them, they're getting steals."
As for unique combine interview questions, Fashanu offered this one: "The only question that wasn't football related was, 'Who's the GOAT? LeBron [James] or MJ [Michael Jordan]?'"
Fashanu's answer? "LeBron."
Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu works out during Penn State Pro Day at Holuba Hall in State College.
Dan Rainville/USA Today Sports
Noteworthy
Two former Lions who performed combine drills at Pro Day were safety Keaton Ellis and running back Trey Potts. Ellis ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, a time that pleased him, and the 5-9 Potts ran a 4.6. Ellis also connected on a 39-inch vertical jump. Both players seek to connect with teams after Pro Day.
Former Penn State receiver DaeSean Hamilton caught passes from Drew Allar as he seeks to return from a 2022 injury. Unfortunately, Hamilton appeared to be injured during the workout. No further details were available.
Fashanu said that he spent time at the combine catching up with USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The two were high school teammates at Gonzaga College High in Maryland.
Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, who recently signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, attended Pro Day. And he wore a Cher T-shirt.
More Penn State Football
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The Penn State football spring practice primer
Scenes from Penn State winter workouts
Penn State's Drew Allar is studying the Kansas City Chiefs offense this season
Transfers Julian Fleming, Nolan Rucci make smooth transitions to Penn State
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.
