UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Seven Penn State football student-athletes have been invited to participate in the National Football League’s 2012 Scouting Combine, among the nation’s highest totals.
The Nittany Lions participating in the event are: defensive end Jack Crawford (Longport, N.J.), cornerback D’Anton Lynn (Celina, Texas), wide receiver Derek Moye (Rochester, Pa.), cornerback Chaz Powell (New Freedom, Pa.), defensive tackle Devon Still (Wilmington, Del.), linebacker Nate Stupar (State College, Pa.), and guard Johnnie Troutman (Brown Mills, N.J.).
The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is set for February 22-28 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Penn State’s seven invitees are tied for fourth-highest in the nation, surpassed only by Alabama (9), LSU (8) and Wisconsin (8). Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, and Iowa will also have seven participants.
Crawford, Lynn, Powell, Still, and Stupar were major contributors to a Penn State defense that ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and fifth nationally in scoring defense and 20th in the NCAA in total defense.
Crawford, a defensive end, led the Nittany Lions in sacks in 2011 with 6.5, earning second team All-Big Ten honors. A starter of 31 games, the London, England native finished his Penn State career with 89 total tackles, including 26.5 for a loss, and 14 sacks. Crawford helped the North squad win the 2012 Senior Bowl.
Lynn anchored one of the cornerback spots for Penn State for the last three seasons, starting 30 consecutive games at one point. In his senior season of 2011, the three-time honorable mention All-Big Ten performer made 49 tackles, including 32 solos, and one interception and tied for the team lead with eight pass break-ups. Lynn is looking to keep a family tradition alive by playing in the NFL, as his father, Anthony won two Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos in the 1990s. Lynn also played in the 2012 Senior Bowl.
Powell made the successful transition from wide receiver to cornerback during the 2010 season and became a mainstay in the defensive backfield for the remainder of his Penn State career. An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection as a senior, he started 12 games, recording 41 tackles and two interceptions. Also a valued contributor on special teams, Powell ranked third in the Big Ten in kick return average (27.1), taking the opening kick of the 2011 season back for a 95-yard score.
In his senior year, Still emerged as one the nation’s most dominant forces from his defensive tackle position. In addition to being selected as the Big Ten’s Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year, the team co-captain earned a spot on 10 All-America teams. A starter in 25 games over the past two seasons, he led Penn State with 17 tackles for loss and tied for second with 4.5 sacks in 2011. A finalist for the Outland and Nagurski Trophies and Bednarik Award, he finished the season with 55 tackles, including 29 solos, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Stupar returned to the starting line-up as Big Ten play began and had a productive season as a member of one the conference’s top linebacking corps. Despite only starting nine games, the honorable mention All-Big Ten linebacker ended the season ranked third on the team in tackles with 80 and added two sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
Moye, a 2011 team co-captain, finished his standout career as one of the program’s top all-time wide receivers. He stands third in the Penn State record book in receiving yards (2,395), fourth in receiving touchdowns (18), fifth in career receptions (144), and tied for fifth in 100-yard receiving games (6). As a senior, he led the team in receptions (40), receiving yards (465), and receiving touchdowns (3).
Troutman became a pillar along Penn State’s offensive line the past two seasons, starting 24 consecutive games and a total of 32 for his career. During his time in Happy Valley, Troutman paved the way for the two 1,000-yard rushers, including the program’s all-time leading ground gainer Evan Royster, and 2011 second-team All-Big Ten selection Silas Redd. Troutman also played in the 2012 Senior Bowl. The NFL Network (Ch. 180 and 275 on Comcast Cable in the Centre Region) and NFL.com will have coverage of the Scouting Combine daily from February 22-28. The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 26-28, with the first round taking place on Thursday night.
There are 34 former Nittany Lions on NFL rosters, placing Penn State in the top 15 nationally among schools in producing current NFL players.
Super Bowl XLVI marked the 41st time in the Super Bowl’s 46-game history that at least one Penn State alumnus was a member of one of the participating teams. Veteran lineman Kareem McKenzie and Jimmy Kennedy became the latest Nittany Lion alumni to earn a Super Bowl ring, with the New York Giants’ victory over New England.