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The Penn State NFL Combine Tracker

Seven Nittany Lions are at the 2023 combine in Indianapolis. Here's how they're doing.

Mark Wogenrich

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Penn State has developed a strong performance history at the NFL Combine, where Lions tend to run fast. Remember Troy Apke at the 2018 combine?

This week, Joey Porter Jr., Ji'Ayir Brown, Mitchell Tinsley and more get their turns in Indianapolis. As the combine rolls on, we're updating the news and notes out of Lucas Oil Stadium. Keep it tuned.

Joey Porter Jr. Runs a 4.46

Porter, the All-American cornerback, came to Indianapolis planning to prove that he can "really fly." His best 40-yard dash of 4.46 seconds wasn't among the best times but, when combined with his measurements, seemed a resume-builder.

Porter's father thought he might run better, though. Joey Porter Sr., the former NFL player and coach, told NFL Network's Stacey Dales that Porter had been running times in the 4.3s during training. Porter ran a 4.52 in addition to his 4.46.

As a result, Porter Sr. hinted that his son would run again at Penn State's Pro Day in mid-March.

"Definitely wasn't his best running, but he still has his Pro Day to make it better," Porter Sr. said.

Parker Washington working through 'the process'

The receiver still is recovering from the late-season injury that caused him to miss the last three games, including the Rose Bowl. He plans to compete in the bench press at the combine, but that's it.

"I'm still working through the process," Washington told reporters in Indianapolis.

 Despite not working out, Washington came to the combine confident in his skills. NFL Draft Bible ranks him as the No. 20 receiver in the draft class, describing him as a "prospect coaches are much higher on than scouts."

Washington self-scout underscored that.

"Playmaking ability and being versatile," he said. "Having elite hands and understanding how to get open. Understanding zones, understanding man, and being able to make plays."

'I'm not just a fat nose tackle,' PJ Mustipher says

The former Penn State defensive tackle measured at 6-4, 320 pounds at the NFL Combine, about the size he played at as a senior. But he looked a bit leaner, perhaps, and sought to prove that he's more than a space-eater.

"I’m not just a fat nose tackle who blocks for everybody around him," Mustipher told reporters at the combine. "I can make plays, too."

Mustipher might have some more convincing to do. He ran a 5.41 40-yard dash in testing, last among 15 tackles who recorded times. He also among the lower quartile in the 10-yard split, broad jump and vertical.

Still, Mustipher has impressed several teams, notably the New England Patriots, through the film and interview process. He played for the Patriots staff at the East-West Shrine Game, which prompted Mustipher to study their defensive line play before the game. Mustipher left believing that he'd be a good fit in New England.

"I told them, I'd love to be reunited with them in May," Mustipher said.

Mustipher also made a recommendation for Penn State's coaching vacancy on the defensive line.

Ji'Ayir Brown on his 'great' decision

When fellow safety Jaquan Brisker left for the NFL after the 2022, Ji'Ayir Brown had a decision too. Yet Brown didn't hesitate.

"It was never really a debate whether I was going to come back for that last year or not," Brown told reporters in Indianapolis. "I knew I wasn't complete as a player and the player I wanted to be. I didn't exemplify that in 2021. I still had a great season in 2021, just wasn't the complete player that you saw in 2022. So that was my decision on coming back, and it was a great one."

Turns out, he was right. Brown had an All-Big Ten year and built himself into the draft's top safety, according to NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. He finished with 10 career interceptions, including four last season, when he also made 4.5 sacks.

Turns out, Brown loves blitzing, and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz loved to send him.

"I started watching a lot of Von Miller highlights and I felt all along I liked to pass rush," Brown said. "It's something that was new, but I was able to adjust and able to do it well. And it's been a great part of my game and I really enjoy that. It might be just as good as getting interceptions."

Brown's on-field performance will earn notice from the film-watchers, but he has a chance to impress in workouts as well.

Brown won the team's Iron Lion Award last season, which recognizes strength and conditioning success. Brown told reporters in Indianapolis that he maxed out at 535 pounds in the squat, 365 in the bench press and 335 in the power clean.

Seven former Penn State players are attending the NFL Combine:

  • Safety Ji'Ayir Brown
  • Defensive tackle PJ Mustipher
  • Cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
  • Center Juice Scruggs
  • Tight end Brenton Strange
  • Receiver Mitchell Tinsley
  • Receiver Parker Washington

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Mark Wogenrich
MARK WOGENRICH

Mark Wogenrich is Editor and Publisher of AllPennState, the site for Penn State news on SI's FanNation Network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs and three Rose Bowls.

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