Former Penn State standout receives ultimate sign of disrespect as we get closer to the 2026 NFL Draft
Former Penn State Nolan Rucci snubbed from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
With the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl behind us, the next 2026 NFL Draft event to keep a close eye on is the NFL Scouting Combine in a couple of weeks. NFL.com just announced the 319 prospects who will be heading to Indianapolis for the event, which included nine former Penn State standouts. Quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, tight end Khalil Dinkins, offensive tackles Drew Shelton, offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, defensive tackle Zane Durant, and safety Zakee Wheatley made the cut.
Absent from the list was former Nittany Lions starting right tackle Nolan Rucci. Despite quality film over the last two seasons, and a good week down in Frisco for the East-West Shrine Bowl, Rucci did not make the cut. There are some positive options on Rucci in NFL circles, which makes his absence somewhat puzzling to see. The event, instead, priotized the likes of Ohio State offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa, despite him not starting a single game for the Buckeyes.
Rucci will have the Penn State pro day to showcase his worth. This slight disrespect is a minor setback but the talented offensive tackle will still have a chance to shine before April.
Nolan Rucci’s career background
If you look back at the 2021 recruiting class, Rucci was considered to be one of the very best overall prospects in the country. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, the Lititz (Pa.) Warwick standout finished rated as a five-star player. Rucci finished as the No. 16 overall player, the No. 5 offensive tackle, and the No. 1 player from the state of Pennsylvania for the class. He finished ranked over Kyle McCord, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Marvin Harrison Jr. coming out of the Keystone State.
Rucci was a major victory for Wisconsin at the time. The Pennsylvania native chose the Badgers over offers from Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Notree Dame, LSU, Oregon, Penn State, Oklahoma, Florida, Miami, Clemson, Nebraska, Arizona State, Maryland, Michigan State, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Pitt, Rutgers, Stanford, and Northwestern, among several others.
While his career was once promising, Rucci’s time in Wisconsin didn’t work out well. The 6-8, 308-pound offensive tackle spent three seasons in Madison, where he played in just six games. Rucci did haul in a three-yard touchdown reception for the Badgers during the 2023 season as a tackle eligible receiver. In two seasons with the Nittany Lions, Rucci appeared in 28 games with 18 starts. He became a mainstay at the right tackle position, playing his best football during the 2025 college football season.
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