Clifford throws passes, Brisker improves times and more from Penn State football’s Pro Day
Penn State football’s Pro Day started with plenty of fanfare for the former Nittany Lions participating. The current Nittany Lions were leaving the weight room when their former teammates came out to get weighed in for the event.
The joy and cheering made at least one Nittany Lion feel like he was back in his old stomping grounds.
“We were walking out and guys were all leaving the weight room,” former linebacker Ellis Brooks said with a smile. “You should’ve heard them. It just sounded like Beaver Stadium, even though it was just 20 guys rooting us on. That type of love is special, that type of love is something I’m gonna miss.”
Brooks was one of 15 former Penn State football players participating in Thursday’s Pro Day in front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams. While some of the players, like Jahan Dotson, Jaquan Brisker and Arnold Ebiketie, had a chance to work out at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, others — like Brooks — did not.
That opportunity was not lost on Brooks, who wanted to take full advantage of the audience in Holuba Hall.
“It was important,” Brooks said of the Pro Day. “I wanted to show what I was able to do, show what I bring to the table. I’m excited I got the opportunity to do it.”
While Brooks felt he took advantage of the workout, there were others who still took the field to prove what they could do, even if they went to the combine. One of those players was Dotson, who had a notable current Nittany Lion involved in his workout.
Dotson ran routes and caught passes from a familiar face, with redshirt senior starting quarterback Sean Clifford throwing the ball to him. Clifford was allowed to participate thanks to NCAA legislation allowing current players to work out at Pro Days.
The former Nittany Lion was always going to be Dotson’s choice for quarterback.
“Honestly, I never thought about it being anyone else,” Dotson said after his workout. “There was a little mixup where we didn’t think he’d be able to throw. I was kinda bummed out about that just because that’s always been my guy. We kinda got that resolved a couple days ago and it was just a relief to hear that.”
The chance to catch passes from the player who connected with him time and time again during the 2021 season was one he couldn’t pass up.
The camaraderie between the two helped Dotson as he showed scouts, coaches and front office members why he should go relatively early in the 2022 NFL Draft.
“It was really nice (having Clifford throw),” he said. “Having that connection is huge for me. That’s been my guy the past three years. I feel most comfortable with him. I kinda made sure that he’s gonna be the guy out here throwing to me. It was beautiful.”
Brisker proving his worth
One of the highest rated players participating was Brisker, who is widely projected to go in the first or second round of the draft. He was one of Penn State’s best defensive players in 2021, leading the defense from the safety position while playing well against both the run and the pass.
His versatility to compete in all situations even led to teams asking just how much he’s able to do on the field.
“Some teams just asked me what I could do,” Brisker said. “If I could play all six positions or not. I said yes. Throughout junior college, throughout here, I showed my versatility. I showed that I can play anywhere in the secondary.”
His versatility could help at the next level but his ability excel at safety alone should be enough for teams to take him in the draft. He’s a good athlete who can run with tight ends in coverage or drop down and make a big hit in the running game.
That on-field ability was proven from film, but it was Brisker’s football intelligence that left teams coming away from interviews with him impressed.
“I feel like my mental, what I showed them, showed them that I know the game of football and I know what my teammates is doing every play,” he said. “I feel like that really shocked them.”
The safety attributes some of his intelligence to playing so much of the Madden video games over the years, but said it’s really because he’s been around the game his entire life.
While he didn’t know why teams didn’t expect him to be as smart as he is, he was happy to prove his depth of knowledge about the game.
And while the draft process can be a whirlwind with the combine, Brisker has been sure to savor every moment he can.
“Really it started at the combine,” Brisker said. “Out of a million guys in college, I made it. Just being blessed and humble every day, just taking it all in, that’s important. One step at a time and being where your feet are.”
Those moments have added up between the combine, his Pro Day workout and a variety of other items on the NFL Draft process agenda.
There was one, however, that stood out to the former Nittany Lion.
“When I first got on the plane to go to training, I really took it all in,” Brisker said. “... Coming from Lackawanna and from where I’ve been, it was just very different. I finally made that trip to go train and do what I’m supposed to be doing. So I felt just, very emotional.”
Future of LB position
Two former linebackers — Brooks and Smith — took part in the workout and will need to be replaced atop next year’s depth chart. Brooks has a few players in mind already that he believes can help make a difference for the Nittany Lions in 2022.
“I think competition is obviously something we pride ourselves on at Penn State,” Brooks said. “The more depth you have in the linebacker room, the better the room is gonna be. (Tyler Elsdon and Kobe King) are determined, they work hard, they love football and they’re gonna push each other every single practice.”
Elsdon and King were both mentioned by Penn State head coach James Franklin as the two players getting reps at Brooks’ former position — middle linebacker — but there was one more player that the former linebacker has his eye on.
Curtis Jacobs has quickly gone from the youngest starter at the position to the oldest, requiring much more from him off the field and on it.
Brooks said he believes Jacobs is more than ready to take over the helm.
“I think Curt is ready,” he said. “We had a couple talks about how he needs to approach this offseason, the mentality, his preparation, what that’s supposed to look like. I feel like he did a good job of learning from guys like me, Jesse (Luketa), etc., about how you’re supposed to approach the game and attack every single day. And how you’re supposed to lead that room.”
Some of that growth will come on his own, but Brooks saw some of it while he was still on campus. The two players roomed together in 2021 and Jacobs quickly developed some of his teammate’s habits.
That meant there were some extra late night sessions trying to improve as football players between the two.
“It got to the point where I would go down to his room and we’d just hang out and we’d just put film on his TV with this little adapter,” Brooks said. “We just watched film on the TV after games. We’re down there for three hours and we’re just sitting down there analyzing film.”
Quick Hitters
- Brisker improved on two marks from the combine, improving on both his vertical jump and 40-yard dash. He ran a 4.49 second 40 and jumped 34.5 inches at the combine, but ran a 4.43 second 40 and jumped 38.5 inches Thursday
- Dotson only participated in route running drills after running a 4.43 40 and doing the various other athletic tests at the combine.
- Special teams gunner Drew Hartlaub ran a 4.22 in the 40 and should have an opportunity to play in the NFL on special teams, much like former Nittany Lion Dan Chisena.
This story was originally published March 24, 2022 at 5:14 PM.
