Penn State Nittany Lions head to NFL
The NFL draft has always meant a lot to the Penn State Football team. In the fall of 2015, there were 25 Nittany Lions on NFL Kickoff Week rosters, a number that rivals any of the other great football schools in the country. Known for producing humble, hardworking athletes, it was no surprise that some of Penn State’s own were drafted by some of the best teams in the country this past week.
The talk of the town is that former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg (Palmyra, Va.) was drafted by the New York Jets with the No. 51 pick during the second round on Friday evening. The 6’4”, 223 yard quarterback threw for 2,525 yards in 2015 and notched 16 touchdowns.
Hackenberg received the phone call from the Jets’ general manager Mike Maccagnan on Friday evening and was told, “We are going to make you a Jet. How does that sound?” to which Hackenberg could only reply with a huge smile while still on the phone and surrounded by family and friends.
As the battle for starting quarterback heats up on campus, Penn State fans now have a reason to also cheer for the New York Jets this fall. Good luck, Christian!
The NFL draft excitement doesn’t stop there.
Legendary names Anthony Zettel (West Branch, Mich.) and Jordan Lucas (New Rochelle, N.Y.) were selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft this past Saturday. Zettel, a Michigan native, was drafted by the Detroit Lions and is the 14th Nittany Lion to be drafted by the Lions. Lucas was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, the 11th Penn Stater to join the team.
The excitement doesn’t stop there.
Known for his passion for the game and dedication to Penn State, Austin Johnson (Galloway, N.J.) was the 43rd overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. Johnson will rejoin former Penn State teammate DaQuan Jones, who was drafted by the Titans in 2014.
From college walk-on to NFL, Carl Nassib (West Chester, Pa.) was a third round selection and 65th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns. Nassib, who was named the CBS Sports National Defensive Player of the Year looks to continue his defensive prowess in Cleveland this fall.
Finally, Trevor Williams (Baltimore, Md.) signed an NFL undrafted free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers. Williams is known for being a steadfast player on the squad, appearing in 49 of 50 games in his career, which includes 31 starts.
WE ARE… so proud of our NFL-bound Nittany Lions!
The talk of the town is that former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg (Palmyra, Va.) was drafted by the New York Jets with the No. 51 pick during the second round on Friday evening. The 6’4”, 223 yard quarterback threw for 2,525 yards in 2015 and notched 16 touchdowns.
Hackenberg received the phone call from the Jets’ general manager Mike Maccagnan on Friday evening and was told, “We are going to make you a Jet. How does that sound?” to which Hackenberg could only reply with a huge smile while still on the phone and surrounded by family and friends.
As the battle for starting quarterback heats up on campus, Penn State fans now have a reason to also cheer for the New York Jets this fall. Good luck, Christian!
The NFL draft excitement doesn’t stop there.
Legendary names Anthony Zettel (West Branch, Mich.) and Jordan Lucas (New Rochelle, N.Y.) were selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft this past Saturday. Zettel, a Michigan native, was drafted by the Detroit Lions and is the 14th Nittany Lion to be drafted by the Lions. Lucas was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, the 11th Penn Stater to join the team.
The excitement doesn’t stop there.
Known for his passion for the game and dedication to Penn State, Austin Johnson (Galloway, N.J.) was the 43rd overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. Johnson will rejoin former Penn State teammate DaQuan Jones, who was drafted by the Titans in 2014.
From college walk-on to NFL, Carl Nassib (West Chester, Pa.) was a third round selection and 65th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns. Nassib, who was named the CBS Sports National Defensive Player of the Year looks to continue his defensive prowess in Cleveland this fall.
Finally, Trevor Williams (Baltimore, Md.) signed an NFL undrafted free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers. Williams is known for being a steadfast player on the squad, appearing in 49 of 50 games in his career, which includes 31 starts.
WE ARE… so proud of our NFL-bound Nittany Lions!
