Chad Reuter's latest mock draft has hit the scene, and while Penn State fans have plenty to cheer about, there are a few surprises. Leading the charge for the Nittany Lions is offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane, projected to join the Baltimore Ravens as the 14th overall pick. The Ravens are eyeing Ioane as a powerhouse in the run game, and pairing him with John Simpson could solidify their offensive line.
However, after Ioane, Penn State's presence in the draft takes a bit of a pause until the third round. Edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton is pegged to go 60th overall to the Houston Texans, a pick acquired from the Giants. Not far behind, running back Kaytron Allen is slated for the Atlanta Falcons at 79th overall.
Round four sees a trio of Nittany Lions making their mark. Defensive tackle Zane Durant is projected at 102nd overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, safety Zakee Wheatley at 113th to the Indianapolis Colts, and running back Nicholas Singleton at 131st to the New England Patriots.
Noticeably absent from Reuter's list is quarterback Drew Allar. While it’s not shocking for him to be considered a late-round pick, the fact that six of his former teammates made the cut is certainly worth noting. Allar, a developing talent, might not be ready to step in as a starter, and many teams have already filled their backup roles through free agency.
Despite this, a late-round selection of Allar could provide a team with a valuable asset for the future. In a draft class not deep with quarterback prospects, Allar could be a strategic choice for teams looking to build depth at the position.