QB Casey The Best Of A Rare Thin Draft Class At Penn State
McKenzie, Stewart, Kurpeikis Also Could Get Call
By Steve Sampsell

Almost annually, the conclusion of Penn State spring practice coincides with the start of professional careers for some Nittany Lion football standouts.

Often, as tailgaters prepare for the Blue-White Game they discuss the status of former players as the NFL Draft begins the same day.

Expect that tradition to take a hit this season.

Oh, the Blue-White Game remains on schedule -- and despite the team's 5-7 finish last season the usual 60,000 or so should show up for the intrasquad scrimmage -- but Penn State's presence in the draft might be limited. In fact, there might not be a Penn State player picked in the first few rounds.

While Penn State's senior class included several players who made major contributions to the program, none have wowed either draft gurus or NFL scouts with their skills. Their consistency and contributions at Penn State cannot be overlooked, but their flaws might prevent them from finding their way to an NFL camp except as late-round draft choices or potential free agents.

Perhaps the most well known member of the group, quarterback Rashard Casey, faces several challenges. None have anything to do with his off-field problems that distracted the team last season.

At 6-1, 197 pounds, Casey has decent size, and compares favorably physically to Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick (6-1, 215), the expected No. 1 overall selection. He might fit that quarterback prototype almost as well as Vick. When moving from college to the pros, though, such an "almost" looms large. For Casey, the biggest questions probably surround his arm strength and decision-making skills.

He might possess mobility better than that of Vick, but Casey has not shown comparable arm strength on a regular basis. In addition, when moving from college to the NFL, and to much more complex offensive schemes, Casey has little on his resume to prove that he can handle the transition easily. He often seemed indecisive at Penn State, and the program's history of producing quarterbacks -- a disappointing history by comparison to almost any other position on the field -- does not bode well for him.

Perhaps the biggest indication of his low-level draft status was that he was not invited to the NFL Draft Combine in late February. Before that, he was virtually overlooked for a roster spot among the numerous post-season college football all-star games. He played in the Rotary Gridiron Classic and was named the game's MVP, but compiled statistics that were not eye-popping.

Along with Casey, the draft and pro prospects of former Penn State players remain generally average. Three other players, all three basically linemen, might represent the program's best opportunity for producing a pro player this season.

Offensively, lineman Kareem McKenzie entered last season as a preseason All-America candidate. He was expected to anchor the offensive line and when it faltered, his reputation took slight a hit. He was invited to the combine, though, and his abilities and size (6-7, 320) make him a potential sleeper pick.

Tight end Tony Stewart has been overlooked with regularity. He finished last season as Penn State's leader in receptions (38) and receiving yards (451) -- a testament to his good hands and route-running skills while rarely finding himself as a primary option in the team's game plan.

His size (6-5, 256) might be a strength for him as a pro.

On defense, end Justin Kurpeikis probably put together the best season of any Nittany Lion senior last season. His frame (6-4, 249) makes him seem undersized to play defensive end in the NFL, but that also was the knock against him at Penn State -- until he proved his football savvy was more than enough to make up for any such doubts. As a pro, he'll have to prove that all over again.

Steve Sampsell is a freelance writer who lives in State College.