The Highs and Lows of Penn State Football Pro Day

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State’s 2026 Pro Day drew a larger crowd of prospects and scouts than a year ago, as 20 Nittany Lions took over Holuba Hall for four hours of measurements, drills and position work. Eight more athletes participated than in 2025, and the afternoon delivered a familiar blend of soaring moments and disappointing hiccups as the NFL Draft inches closer.

Quarterback Drew Allar commanded the largest gallery of evaluators. Working with receivers Kyron Hudson, Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross and Liam Clifford, plus running back Kaytron Allen, Allar flashed the arm strength that has kept him in early-round conversations. He layered short and intermediate throws with confidence, hitting Hudson on a highlight-reel sideline fade that ended with a toe-tapping catch. Deep accuracy remained inconsistent; two long shots to Pena and Ross sailed beyond reach. Allar, who broke his ankle against Northwestern last October and is currently rated QB5 by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., said the script was designed to show pro-style concepts.

“My game plan was to showcase play-action from under center, driving the ball and putting it in tight windows you see on Sundays,” Allar said. “I feel good about the variety we put on tape.”

Defensive back Jaylen Wheatley, fresh off February’s NFL Scouting Combine, skipped only the bench press and proceeded to top all Nittany Lions with a 6.89-second 3-cone and a 4.11-second pro shuttle, tying receiver Trebor Pena for the fastest shuttle time. Wheatley is listed as the No. 8 safety in Kiper’s positional rankings and viewed the workout as validation of his short-area burst.

Guard Diego Ioane, Penn State’s lone first-round projection, elected to test only in position drills. The 6-4, 320-pound mauler showed quick feet and violent punch in one-on-ones, rebounding from a middling combine that saw him finish 33rd among linemen in the broad jump (8-8) and 19th in the vertical (31.50). “Knowing I put my best foot forward feels good,” Ioane said.

Specialists seized the spotlight early. Punters Gabe Nwosu and Riley Thompson each launched balls beyond 60 yards and pinned directional kicks inside the numbers. Long snapper Tyler Duzansky snapped with rifle-like speed and pressed 20 bench-press reps, fifth-best among his teammates. “Once the first punt leaves your foot, it feels like you’re home again,” Thompson said.

Not every Nittany Lion left satisfied. Center Nick Dawkins, a two-year captain, clocked a 5.16-second 40 and admitted lingering injuries hampered change-of-direction work. “I really wish I could have shown more athleticism,” Dawkins said. “You train for months and it doesn’t come together—disappointing.”

Tackle Nolan Rucci recorded a 4.87-second pro shuttle he called “a little frustrating,” while receiver Devonte Ross dropped two potential catches during Allar’s session. “I’ve got to finish those,” Ross said. Receiver Kyron Hudson shrugged off average testing numbers, saying, “I’m blessed to be here; a lot of people dream of this chance.”

With private visits on the horizon for several prospects, Penn State’s 2026 Pro Day offered another data point in an under-the-microscope draft cycle. For some, the afternoon cemented rising stock; for others, it provided a harsh reminder of how slim the margin is when every rep counts.