The attention was drawn to Abdul Carter as soon as he entered Holuba Hall for Penn State’s Pro Day on Friday. But Carter, who has the potential to become the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, sat out drills as he recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in the College Football Playoff. Friday morning was instead all about the other Nittany Lions who are turning pro.
It was about Kevin Winston Jr., who ran in front of a crowd for the first time since partially tearing his ACL in September. It was about Jalen Kimber, who likely boosted his stock with a blistering 40-yard dash. And about Amin Vanover, whose application for an extra year of eligibility was denied, leaving him scrambling to prepare for the draft.
How did the nine Penn State players who worked out at Friday’s Pro Day perform? Here’s a look at their official results.
WR JULIAN FLEMING
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 198
Bench: N/A
Vert: 34.5
Broad: 10.3
40-yard dash: 4.68
Pro: 4.27
3-cone: 4.60
Notes: One of the nation’s top overall recruits out of high school, Julian Fleming dealt with injuries throughout his four years at Ohio State before an underwhelming final season of eligibility with the Nittany Lions. Fleming has local days scheduled with multiple NFL teams, and wants scouts and personnel to know he’s “never cheated the process.”
“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career,” Fleming said, “and I’ve always come out on top of every hurdle that I’ve ran into.”
DT COZIAH IZZARD
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 305
Bench: 25
Vert: 33.5
Broad: 9.5
40-yard dash: 4.81
Pro: 4.45
3-cone: N/A
Notes: Coziah Izzard wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but the 4.81 40-yard dash he ran at his Pro Day would’ve led all defensive tackles in Indianapolis. Izzard was honest about the fact that he hasn’t been projected for selection. But perhaps his strong performance in the College Football Playoff and showing at his Pro Day could soon raise some eyebrows.
DT DVON J-THOMAS
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 305
Bench: 28
Vert: 30
Broad: 9.1
40-yard dash: 5.08
Pro: 4.83
3-cone: 7.55
Notes: A two-year starter at defensive tackle, Dvon J-Thomas said there was “a lot of disappointment” that stemmed from not being invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. J-Thomas’ leadership abilities should draw the most interest, especially after a Pro Day that didn’t produce the most glowing numbers.
CB JALEN KIMBER
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 184
Bench: 13
Vert: 33.5
Broad: 10.3
40-yard dash: 4.39
Pro: 4.22
3-cone: N/A
Notes: Jalen Kimber, one of two Penn State players invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl, continued to build on his stock with a remarkable 4.39 40-yard dash, by far fastest of all participants at Pro Day. Kimber’s promising pre-draft process could help him come off the board in the draft’s later rounds.
LB KOBE KING
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 236
Bench: 26
Vert: N/A
Broad: 9.10
40-yard dash: 4.63
Pro: 4.26
3-cone: 7.21
Notes: Another Pro Day winner, Kobe King tested well in the 40-yard dash and in agility drills. At this point, there shouldn’t be a question of whether King will be selected. It’s more so a matter of how early. He’s currently projected as a Day 2 to early Day 3 pick.
DE AMIN VANOVER
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 258
Bench: N/A
Vert: 30
Broad: 9.6
40-yard dash: 4.76
Pro: 4.60
3-cone: N/A
Notes: As Vanover waited for a response by the NCAA on his eligibility waiver, he began preparing for his Pro Day. And once it was denied, he opted not to appeal it. Vanover could have benefited greatly from another season, one that likely would’ve seen him start, and presents himself as a potential steal on the undrafted free agent market.
S KEVIN WINSTON JR.
Height: 6-foot-1.5
Weight: 215
Bench: N/A
Vert: N/A
Broad: N/A
40-yard dash: 4.50
Pro: N/A
3-cone: N/A
Notes: Just over six months since partially tearing his ACL in September, Kevin Winston Jr. ran a 4.50 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Winston entered the year as a projected first-round pick, but his injury likely dropped his stock. Now running again, and running well, Winston could rise up draft boards over the next few weeks.
OL SAL WORMLEY
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 327
Bench: 19
Vert: 26.5
Broad: 8.1
40-yard dash: 5.29
Pro: 4.95
3-cone: N/A
Notes: A staple of Penn State’s offensive line over the past three seasons, Sal Wormley joined Kimber in the East-West Shrine Bowl and could become a late-round draft pick.
INACTIVE LIST
Tyler Warren, a projected first-round pick who is likely the top tight end prospect in the draft, joined Carter in sitting out on Friday. Jaylen Reed, who ran a convincing 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine, didn’t test at his Pro Day but participated in position drills.
