February 2009 Archives

The just-completed NFL Combine was supposed to be a money-making, eye-opening breakthrough for some Penn State football players readying for the draft.

Well, it didn't quite turn out that way.

Sure, receiver Deon Butler (pretty much my favorite Penn State player ever) did well for himself. He ran really fast, which for some reason, had been a knock against him. Of course, everyone already knew that he catches every thing in sight and is surprisingly durable for his size.

But the others?

Penn State recruit Devon Smith, the diminutive sprinter and football star, won another state gold medal in track and field on Tuesday.

But he missed out on a coveted national record.

Joe Paterno and his staff will again welcome several hundred coaches for Penn State's annual football coaches clinic on April 3-4 in State College.

The clinic -- which traditionally draws more than 800 high school and youth league coaches from all parts of the country -- will feature lectures and demonstrations by Paterno and the entire Nittany Lions' staff, which will be in the midst of spring practice.

Penn State is sending nearly as many players to the NFL Combine next week as anyone in the nation.

Eight Nittany Lions -- tied for the most in the Big Ten and third nationally -- have been invited to the NFL's scouting combine Feb. 18-24 at the new Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Penn State should finally know exactly where its 2009 recruiting class stands by the middle of this afternoon.

The Nittany Lions, who already have a 26-member class, including four early enrollees, are still waiting word on three more potential prospects. All are expected to announce their intentions today.