Penn State’s season may have collapsed, but their NFL pipeline hasn’t dried up. Despite the chaos in Happy Valley, several Nittany Lions are positioned to hear their names called in the 2026 draft. Here’s how Penn State’s top prospects stack up, from the sure things to the long shots who need another year to prove themselves.

The first rounder

A.J. Harris, CB (87.7 grade)

Harris burst onto the national radar as a five-star recruit out of Alabama before arriving in Happy Valley, and at 6-1 and 191 pounds, he’s got the size NFL teams want on the perimeter. What separates Harris from other talented corners is his combination of length and fluidity. He can mirror receivers at the line without getting grabby, and he’s shown the ball skills to turn contested catches into incompletions. His 87.7 grade isn’t just tops among Penn State players, it’s elite by any standard. If he declares, he’s a first-round lock.

The day two bets

Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE (87.4 grade)

The 6-5, 265-pound defensive end wrapped up his 2024 season with 82 tackles, including 24 solo stops, and he brings the kind of positional versatility that NFL defensive coordinators love. At 4.68 in the 40-yard dash, he’s not going to wow anyone with pure speed, but his technique and motor keep him productive on every snap. He’s likely a second- or third-round pick if he leaves early, though a strong end to his senior season could push him into the back of the first round.

Nicholas Singleton, RB (84.6 grade)

From the moment Singleton arrived in Happy Valley, he’s been running angry, and despite Penn State’s offensive dysfunction this season, he’s remained one of the few consistent threats. At 6 foot and 224 pounds, Singleton has the build teams want in a workhorse back, but the problem is positional value. Running backs rarely crack the first round anymore, and Singleton will need to prove he can be a three-down player, particularly as a receiver and pass protector. His recent surge shows what he’s capable of when given opportunities. A strong combine could push him into the second round.

Drew Shelton, OT (84.7 grade)

The 6-5, 305-pound Pennsylvania native earned four-star ratings across the board coming out of high school and has developed into a steady presence on Penn State’s offensive line. At 5.20 in the 40-yard dash with a 95.6 RAS, Shelton has the measurables needed to intrigue NFL evaluators, and offensive tackles with his size and athleticism don’t grow on trees. If he can show consistency in pass protection during his senior season, he’s a Day 2 pick with upside to climb higher.

The projects worth gambling on

Oluwavega Ioane, OG (86.2 grade)

Ioane didn’t even step on a football field until his sophomore year of high school, and that late start shows in his technique. At 6-4 and 330 pounds with a 5.35 forty-yard dash time, Ioane is massive and surprisingly nimble for someone his size. Guards with his physical tools can carve out careers in the middle rounds if they show coachability and a willingness to learn. He’s a project, but the kind NFL teams take swings on in rounds four through six.

Zakee Wheatley, S (84.9 grade)

The Archbishop Spalding product from Maryland arrived in Happy Valley as a consensus four-star recruit, and at 6-2 and 200 pounds, he’s got the size to play either safety spot or slide into a big nickel role. Wheatley’s 88.8 RAS suggests plus athleticism, but his 4.40 forty-yard dash time is where things get interesting. Safeties who can run like that and cover ground in the deep middle have real value in today’s pass-heavy NFL. He’s likely a fourth- or fifth-round selection, though a strong combine showing could push him into Day 2.

The question marks

Kaytron Allen, RB (84.4 grade)

The “Fatman” arrives at Penn State in 2022 alongside Nicholas Singleton and has steadily earned his workload. At 5-11 and roughly 217 lbs, Allen is solidly built and brings power between the tackles. In 2024 he rushed for 1,108 yards on 220 carries and added 18 receptions for 153 yards, showing some ability as a receiver. The production has been there, but scouts still grade him as a “developmental” prospect — for instance, one profile projects him as a Round 4 pick. If Allen boosts his receiving chops, pass protection, and shows elite explosion at the combine, his draft stock could rise. As of now, unless he elevates his profile, he risks falling into the later rounds rather than early Day 2.

Drew Allar, QB (82.4 grade)

The prototype signal caller from Medina, Ohio arrived at Penn State as one of the nation’s most coveted recruits, and at 6-5 and 235 pounds, Allar looks every bit the part of an NFL quarterback. However, he’s spent much of the 2025 season injured. Allar’s decision-making has been inconsistent, and Penn State’s offensive struggles hadn’t done him any favors earlier this season. If he declares early, he’s a developmental pick in the middle rounds. If he stays and refines his game under a new coaching staff, he could climb into Day 2 or higher.

What it means for Penn State

The Nittany Lions won’t challenge Georgia or Ohio State for draft capital, but Harris alone gives them a first-rounder, and several others have the tools to get drafted. The real question is how many leave early versus betting on themselves with another year in Happy Valley, especially with a new coaching staff likely taking over. For a program searching for stability, watching talent walk out the door is never easy. But if these players perform at the next level, it reinforces what Penn State still has even in the midst of all the turbulence: the ability to develop NFL-caliber talent when everything else feels uncertain.

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