2022 NFL draft: Jahan Dotson and Arnold Ebiketie among the Penn State players selected

Penn State wound up with eight players selected in the NFL draft, more than any Big Ten team. Two of the 32 first-round picks in the draft had Pennsylvania ties: Jahan Dotson from Penn State and Kenny Pickett out of Pittsburgh. Two more Nittany Lions, Arnold Ebiketie and Jaquan Brisker, were selected on Day 2.

Here’s a deeper look at those selections and how they’ll fit in with their new teams.

The Nazareth, Pa., native who played four seasons at Penn State heard his name called with the 16th pick by Washington.

At 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, Dotson’s a bit undersized for his position. But the Commanders are getting a snappy route runner and the consensus best hands in the draft class. He said in his introductory press conference he’ll wear No. 1, signifying being the first Commanders pick.

Dotson etched his name in the Nittany Lions record book, making 38 starts in 42 games. His 17.8 yards per punt return is a school record. He’s also tied for second all-time in career receptions (183) and receiving touchdowns (25). Dotson is one of 10 players in program history to eclipse 2,000 career receiving yards at 2,757.

“There was a lot of sacrifice that led to this moment and a lot of hard work,” Dotson said. “Just thinking about all those times where things weren’t so pretty, but at the end of the day we made it happen.”

He could pair nicely next to Terry McLaurin competing for reps at receiver. They’ll be catching passes from former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz in his first season in Washington.

The Pittsburgh Steelers took Pickett with the 20th pick in the draft. It was the first time the Steelers drafted a player out of the University of Pittsburgh in the first round in 33 years and the first time they took a quarterback on Day 1 since Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.

Those in tune with Philadelphia-area football are likely familiar with Pickett’s April 9, 2016, tweet, announcing his verbal commitment to Temple and then-coach Matt Rhule. After his recruiting interest took off in his senior season at Ocean Township (N.J.) High, he changed his commitment and signed with Pitt.

Pickett, who was the first quarterback off the board, will compete with Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky to be the Week 1 starter.

He finished his five-year career as Pitt’s all-time leader in passing yards (12,303), completions (1,045), total offense (13,112), and passing touchdowns (81). He’s the winningest quarterback in school history with 32 victories in 49 starts.

Ebiketie was the 38th overall selection in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons.

Originally from Yaounde, Cameroon (the same city as Sixers center Joel Embiid), before moving to Silver Spring, Md., Ebiketie played three seasons at Temple before transferring to Penn State following the 2020 season. He bolstered his draft stock in one season with the Nittany Lions, finishing second in the Big Ten in tackles for losses (17) and third in sacks (9½).

» READ MORE: Penn State's Arnold Ebiketie rising as 2022 NFL Draft prospect

His Pro Football Focus pass-rush grading of 90.5 ranks higher than that of former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, the 2021 NFL defensive rookie of the year with Dallas.

Brisker was selected in the second round, 48th overall, by the Chicago Bears.

The Pittsburgh native spent three seasons at Penn State after transferring from Lackawanna Community College. This past season, he became the third defensive back since 2000 to record at least 5½ tackles for losses in a season (6), good for fourth in the Big Ten from that position. Brisker played in 34 games, making 21 starts for the Nittany Lions.

At 6-1 and 199 pounds, Brisker has been described by NFL analysts as an “ascending talent” with the potential to be a longtime starter. Brisker should fill a positional need for the Bears in the secondary with a chance to start Week 1.

The Carolina Panthers chose Smith in the fourth round, 120th overall. At 6-2 and 241 pounds, Smith was named third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and honorable mention by the media this season. The junior made 12 starts in his final Penn State campaign.

Stout went to the Baltimore Ravens with the 130th pick in the fourth round. The redshirt senior also was a kicker for Penn State. Stout averaged 53.9 yards per punt against Wisconsin in September, ranking second-best in a game in Nittany Lions history. Hit a 76-yard punt against Wisconsin.

Benford was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round with the 185th overall pick.

The 6-1, 205-pounder, originally from Randallstown, Md., earned Colonial Athletic Association first-team defense honors this past season. In four seasons with the Wildcats, he tallied 137 total tackles and seven interceptions in 36 games.

Benford has been described as a physical corner with an innate ability to track the ball. Buffalo also selected Kaiir Elam, a cornerback from Florida, with the 23rd overall pick.

The San Francisco 49ers selected Castro-Fields in the sixth round with pick No. 221. At 6-foot, 197 pounds, the Nittany Lion could provide some depth in the secondary.

In his senior season, he made 32 tackles in 12 starts at cornerback. He also broke up six passes and was named All-Big Ten honorable mention for the third time.

After four seasons at Penn State, Walker, an offensive tackle, was drafted 249th overall in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers.

The two-time All-Big Ten selection, Walker (6-6, 325) spent four seasons with the Lions, making 10 starts at left tackle in his senior season.

The Arizona Cardinals selected Luketa in the seventh round, No. 256 overall.

The Ottawa native played linebacker and defensive end in his Penn State career. Luketa made eight starts in 12 games his senior season.