STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State was expected to and had a busy third day of the NFL Draft as three defensive backs and four players in all were among those selected on the final day of the NFL Draft.
Penn State had six players drafted in 2010 and tied that mark this year. The program's all-time best was 10 selections in the 1996 NFL Draft. Here's my coverage of all of their Day 3 selections:
• Troy Apke, S, Washington Redskins (109th 0verall)
Penn State's start to the third day of the NFL Draft got going in a big way as Apke was selected in the fourth round by the Washington Redskins.
The former Mt. Lebanon standout was the first Nittany Lion off the board on Saturday, continuing a draft class that already had Saquon Barkley (No. 2 overall, New York Giants) and Mike Gesicki (42nd overall, Miami Dolphins) selected on Thursday and Friday.
"This guy's got some talent to work with," ESPN's Todd McShay said during the Day 3 broadcast. "He's got long arms and he'll support the run. You look at his production, it's not off the charts, but his broad jump, vertical [jump], are excellent."
#HTTR❗️@Traps_5 is headed to the nation’s capitol! @Redskins #NFLDraft#WeAre pic.twitter.com/tAbt7p3Czp
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) April 28, 2018
McShay dubbed Apke as a "really good developmental prospect."
Apke's combine performance shocked the football world, including Deion Sanders, as Apke's blistering speed with a 4.34-second 40-yard dash helped him bolster his draft stock. Add in his ability to help as a special teamer — he burned his redshirt as a freshman midway through the year to contribute on special teams — and Apke's work in the lead up to the draft, including being named the MVP of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Troy Apke going before Penn State teammates Marcus Allen and D. Hamilton is a stunner to everyone involved probably including Apke himself.
NFL Draft is crazy.
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) April 28, 2018
“It was great watching Troy develop into the man and player he is now,” safeties coach Tim Banks said in a statement. “Troy showed all his teammates the road map of hard work and determination and where it can lead."
• DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Denver Broncos (113th overall)
Hamilton's NFL dream became a reality Saturday afternoon shortly after Apke realized his.
Hamilton was selected in the fourth round, 113th overall by the Denver Broncos. He was the fourth former Nittany Lion selected during the draft, joining Saquon Barkley (No. 2 overall, New York Giants), Mike Gesicki (No. 42 overall, Miami Dolphins) and Troy Apke (109th overall, Washington Redskins).
We were very impressed by Daesean Hamilton at the Senior Bowl & are glad to take him in the 4th Rd. A very solid & versatile WR from Penn St who does a tremendous job in all aspects of his game. pic.twitter.com/Sb7oO8ZE3M
— John Elway (@johnelway) April 28, 2018
Hamilton, a second-team All-Big Ten honoree as a senior, ended his career on a high note as he wrapped it up with 53 catches for 857 yards and nine touchdowns. During Hamilton's time in Happy Valley he experienced ups and downs as he came in and redshirted, then was an early favorite target of Christian Hackenberg before struggling and then rebounding to finish his senior season with similar numbers to Chris Godwin's breakout junior season.
“We are so very excited for DaeSean to be drafted by the Broncos,” James Franklin said in a statement. “His maturity, tireless work ethic, team-first mentality and continued perseverance make him into the player he is today. He excelled in the slot with his crisp route running and great hands. We believe DaeSean will add his name to the list of Nittany Lion wide receivers to excel at the next level. DaeSean took advantage of his time at Penn State, earning two degrees in advertising and public relations, as well as telecommunications.”
“DaeSean not only left his mark on the Penn State record books, but he also left his mark on the culture in the WR room,” offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne said in a statement. “His work ethic and attention to detail have become hallmarks of WR play at Penn State, and this lasting legacy will be felt for years to come. I know that the best route runner in the country will be able to translate his craft into a successful professional career.”
Hamilton's position coach at Penn State, Josh Gattis, congratulated him via Twitter. Gattis of course is now coaching at Alabama.
So proud of @SkeeterMills__ I can’t be more excited for your next journey! What makes you special is your commitment to your craft & your work ethic! You changed the program with how you work & you will do the same in Denver! My man @CoachZBroncos you got one you will love ✊️! pic.twitter.com/1K1QfThEjl
— Josh Gattis (@Coach_Gattis) April 28, 2018
• Marcus Allen, S, Pittsburgh Steelers (148th overall)
Penn State's high-energy safety won't be going too far away after all. Allen, whose father is from Homewood and is a Steelers fan, was selected in the fifth round by Pittsburgh.
I’M COMING HOME GRANDMA ????!!!!!!!!!!!! 412 pic.twitter.com/Mi5OVaYlsv
— Marcus Allen (@Chico_Hndrxx) April 28, 2018
Allen trained as a kid with Sean Davis in the Baltimore area and has plenty of familiarity with the Steelers. Pitt was even his first scholarship offer. As one will recall Allen was on the Heinz Field sidelines ahead of a Steelers game last season and when Penn State played Pitt at Heinz Field two seasons ago it was an emotional homecoming of sorts for Allen.
The safety is one who could translate well for Pittsburgh as Allen doesn't lack for physicality especially against the run. Tackling and physicality are pluses, but he ended his Penn State career with just one pick despite being a starter for 3.5 years.
Allen was also a key special teams contributor during his collegiate career, highlighted by his blocked field goal in the upset of Ohio State two seasons ago. He'll need to continue showing he can play special teams to help himself at the next level.
His speed was questioned, but Allen said back at Penn State's pro day he needed to prove he wasn't a 4.6 (second) 40-yard dash guy and that day he did back it.
“We are so excited for Marcus to be drafted by the Steelers,” Franklin said in a statement. “He was a four-year starter for us and was one of our leaders in the secondary for much of his career. He will be a great addition for the Steelers with the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the locker room and field each day."
Added Banks, the safeties coach: "Marcus has a personality that’s infectious, big smile, great energy and people love being around him. I’m super proud of the man he’s become and the legacy he left at Penn State."
Allen's personality was certainly refreshing at the collegiate level. Put him and JuJu Smith- Schuster together on social media and the entertainment level for Steelers fans in that regard will be through the roof.
At one point Allen's aunt had a gift stand that she operated at Heinz Field. Allen celebrated his selection at home in Maryland with his family:
AINT THIS WHAT YOU BEEN WAITING FOR?!! ??? @Chico_Hndrxx ?? pic.twitter.com/syi3NHXTKT
— Hali✨ (@haliberry_) April 28, 2018
Also, remember when I wrote about the Steelers having legit interest in Penn State players back at the Nittany Lions' pro day where Tom Bradley was among those in attendance? That detail makes more sense now.
"Marcus is a big hitter, good special teams player, gives us some versatility in the secondary," Bradley said. "We're awfully excited to get him and we know a lot about this young man and he's been coached by some local people here, coach Terry Smith from Gateway High School coached him [at Penn State] so we've gotten to know a lot about this young man through the process of the draft."
Bradley said Allen's physicality is "probably the best part of his game." The familiarity with Smith, Penn State's cornerbacks coach whom Bradley once recruited, gave the Steelers even more familiarity and insight on Allen.
"I think he can do a lot of things for us," Bradley said. "It hasn't been discussed yet, but I think he can move inside if we need him to do it, if we need him to play dime or do some other things in our scheme he should be able to do it. He certainly has the physical tools to get it done."
• Christian Campbell, CB, Arizona Cardinals, (182nd overall)
The Nittany Lions' rangy cornerback who started last season because of an injury to John Reid is the latest member of Penn State's secondary to hear his name called. Campbell was selected in the sixth round by the Cardinals, giving Penn State six players already selected this year and he is the Nittany Lions' 350th all-time draft pick.
Teams were intrigued by Campbell's size and at 6-1, 194 pounds the Alabama native will likely need to make a name for himself on special teams, which he also played at Penn State.
“I couldn’t be more proud to see Christian’s name on the NFL Draft board," Franklin said in a statement. "Christian is a very smart, dependable and conscientious football player, who played his best as a senior and his best football is still ahead of him! He made the most of his opportunity as a starter last season. We know he will be a great addition to the Cardinals’ roster.”
This draft marks the second time in Penn State history that three Nittany Lion defensive backs were selected. That number could still rise to four as Haley remains on the board. The last time three Penn State defensive backs went in the same draft? 2006.
That class included Calvin Lowry (Tennessee), Alan Zemaitis (Tampa Bay) and Ethan Kilmer (Cincinnati).
THOSE WHO DIDN'T GO
• The attention now turns to Grant Haley, Saeed Blacknall and Jason Cabinda who were among those who didn't hear their name called this weekend. All three will likely end up somewhere as undrafted free agents while players like Brendan Mahon, Parker Cothren and Curtis Cothran could do the same.
