Rich Scarcella: Jaquan Brisker bounces back with strong outing at Penn State Pro Day

Mar. 25—STATE COLLEGE — Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker was mentioned as a first-round draft pick until he tweaked his back at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

That made Penn State's Pro Day Thursday at Holuba Hall very important to him. He liked what he was able to do in front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams.

"I was excited just to take a step forward," Brisker said. "I was very disappointed I couldn't perform at the combine. If I could have done everything, it would be a different story."

Brisker posted a vertical leap Thursday of 38.5 inches, far better than the 34.5 he did at Indianapolis. He also ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash.

"My times changed and I caught every ball," he said. "I felt like I was very smooth. It was really a step forward."

Brisker, an All-Big Ten first-team selection, is now projected as a second-round pick in the NFL draft April 28-30 in Las Vegas.

"Teams told me they like my versatility and effort," he said. "You can't coach effort. They said they saw enough of me on the field (last season), to be honest. I showed them that I know the game of football. I know what my team is doing every play, so I feel like that shocked them."

Ebiketie's rise: Defensive end Arnold Ebiketie transferred from Temple to Penn State last year hoping to emerge as an impact player in the Big Ten.

Ebiketie did just that, earning All-Big Ten first-team honors. Now he's a potential second-round draft pick.

"If you watch my film, you can see someone who's versatile," he said, "someone who can play on the ball or off the ball. I'm a hard worker and that's something I plan to keep being. They're going to get someone who's going to come out there and produce."

Ebiketie ran a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash Thursday at Penn State's Pro Day and tested well in the agility drills. He also posted a vertical leap of 38 inches at the NFL Combine.

Now he has to wait.

"I try not to pay attention to the mock drafts," he said. "Some of them might make you mad and some of them might make you happy. I did everything I had to do. My film's out there. My numbers are out there."

Smith's decision: Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith knew he was going to bypass his final two years of eligibility long before he announced his decision in December.

"I already knew what my situation was going to be," Smith said. "After that it was just going out each game and doing what I needed to do and confirming what I already knew."

Smith made 81 tackles, second on the team, before he opted out of the Outback Bowl. He was named to the All-Big Ten third team by the conference coaches.

"It (declaring) was the best opportunity for me to chase my dream," he said, "and to have those who I love back home see me do that. It was just me being confident in my own abilities. That's the main thing.

"It's more than a game to me. It's what I've been dreaming about doing since I was little."

Blazing speed: Reserve safety and special-team standout Drew Hartlaub ran a 4.22 in the 40-yard dash, according to Penn State.

If the time is accurate, the 5-11, 180-pound Hartlaub would tie John Ross' record at the NFL Combine.

A York County product, he was told he had run a 4.24 and that he was rolling at the start.

"I don't know if it counted because I rolled at the start, which was unfortunate," Hartlaub said. "I hope it doesn't matter.

"I wanted to run a 4.25. I've been hitting that when I've been training."

Safety Jaquan Brisker had the second-fastest time of those Penn State players who ran Thursday, clocking 4.43.

Hartlaub, who played at South Western High, also had exceptional times in the agility drills.

"It was nerve-wracking at first because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "It's a dream come true to be out here. Once you get into it, it's just like playing football. It's really not that bad."

Hartlaub was a "gunner" on punt coverage during his career, making 17 tackles and recovering two fumbles.