2013 NFL Draft Prospects: Penn State

These are the school’s prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft by status * – denotes 2014 prospect ** – denotes 2015 prospect.

This page was last updated April 24, 2013. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 303. Arm: 32 1/8. Hand: 10.
40 Time: 5.23.
Projected Round (2012): 3-4.
4/24/13: Hill is a sleeper defensive tackle. He has gone under the radar due to the impressiveness of this great class. In a normal year, Hill would have received second-round consideration. He didn’t help himself at the Combine, but he didn’t hurt himself either.

Hill recorded 64 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, an interception, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 2012. The pick came against Virginia. Hill was a very good run-defender for the Nittany Lions and helped free up their standout linebackers. He had a dominant performance against Wisconsin to end his collegiate career.

Hill performed well at the Senior Bowl. He won his share of one-on-ones and had success in run defense. Hill didn’t dominate, but he showed that he can be effective against future NFL offensive linemen.

8/25/12: Hill benefitted from playing next to Devon Still in 2011, but Hill produced the most tackles on the defensive line, 59. He also had eight tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. The junior was an All-Big Ten honorable mention.

Hill was mostly a backup as a sophomore, recording 36 tackles. He could use more size for the NFL.

Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 243. Arm: 32.08
40 Time: 4.78.
Projected Round (2013): 4-6.
4/24/13: The team leader played really well with 109 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, seven passes broken up, one forced fumble and two interceptions in 2012.

Hodges is a well-rounded linebacker with three-down potential for the NFL. He performed well at the East-West Shrine, but didn’t stand out at the Combine.

8/29/12: Hodges led Penn State in tackles last season with 106 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, one interception, four passes broken up and two forced fumbles. It was his first full season of playing time. He is a hard-nosed player who has good instincts and a nice physical skill set. The Penn Stater looks like a solid second-day selection.

Michael Mauti, ILB, Penn State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round (2013): 6-FA.
4/24/13: Mauti played really well this year and helped himself, but he blew out a knee late in the season. It was the third time that Mauti had a serious knee injury during his collegiate career. Mauti finished 2012 with 97 tackles, four tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. He had a 99-yard interception return against Illinois.

The knee injury points to a huge medical red flag. Mauti tore his right ACL in 2009 and his left ACL in 2011. If it weren’t for the injuries, he could’ve been a second-day pick. As it stands, Mauti could fall undrafted, but he would be worth signing as an undrafted free agent and could compete to make the 53-man roster.

8/31/12: Mauti played in only four games in 2011, but made 21 tackles for one interception and three tackles for a loss. He had 66 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks in 2012. Mauti could contribute on special teams.