Ji’Ayir Brown becomes fourth Nittany Lion to go in 2023 NFL Draft. Where he’s headed
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2023 NFL Draft
The Centre Daily Times has coverage of each round of the 2023 NFL Draft and where Nittany Lions are going.
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Penn State had its second defensive back selected in the 2023 NFL Draft Friday night. Nittany Lion safety Ji’Ayir Brown was taken in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers with the 87th overall pick.
Joey Porter Jr. was the first defensive back taken when he went No. 32 overall in the second round to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Brown joins former teammate Jaquan Brisker as Penn State safeties taken in the last two years. Brisker went in the second round to the Chicago Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The latest Nittany Lion to be drafted measured in at 5-foot-11-inches tall, and weighed 203 pounds at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine and was one of the most important leaders on the 2022 team.
He anchored a very talented secondary and played wherever defensive coordinator Manny Diaz needed him in order to help the team succeed. Brown showed off his versatility by defending the deep middle of the field as well as he blitzed when he crept close to the line of scrimmage.
His ability to cover was exemplified by his ability to go get the ball whenever it was in the air. He tied for the FBS lead in interceptions in 2021 with six and followed it up by hauling in four more during the 2022 seasons.
One of Brown’s best games came in his final one as a Nittany Lion, when he recorded eight tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception against the Utah Utes during the team’s 35-21 Rose Bowl victory, earning the defensive MVP for the game in the process.
He finished his career by being named third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.
This story was originally published April 28, 2023 at 10:28 PM.
