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Penn State Projected to Net Ten Picks at 2026 Draft

4/23/2026

Summary

Penn State Draft Picks

Penn State players will announce picks in Rounds 2-3 at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh April 23, 2026.
Interior guard Olaivavega Ioane is projected for Baltimore or Pittsburgh.
Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and safety Zakee Wheatley are projected as a second-round pick for Detroit and a third-round pick for Philadelphia.
Quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nicholas Singleton are expected to be selected, with the draft possibly featuring ten Penn State picks.

Summary

Mendoza No. 1

Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman winner, will be No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, Indiana’s first top pick since Corby Davis in 1938.
Mendoza will skip the Pittsburgh ceremony to celebrate with his mother, Elsa, who has multiple sclerosis in Miami.
Scouts note Mendoza’s 6-foot-5, 225-lb frame, high IQ and precise post-snap processing despite limited mobility.
Coach Curt Cignetti credits Indiana’s championship to a transfer-portal strategy.

History

Historical Context

In 1938, Corby Davis became Indiana's first overall NFL draft pick, highlighting the university's football legacy. The NFL Draft has since evolved, with teams emphasizing scouting and player development. As Indiana prepares for the 2026 draft, Fernando Mendoza aims to be the first top pick in 88 years, reflecting the changing dynamics of college football and recruitment strategies.

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Penn State Draft Picks

Penn State players will announce picks in Rounds 2-3 at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh April 23, 2026.
Interior guard Olaivavega Ioane is projected for Baltimore or Pittsburgh.
Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and safety Zakee Wheatley are projected as a second-round pick for Detroit and a third-round pick for Philadelphia.
Quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nicholas Singleton are expected to be selected, with the draft possibly featuring ten Penn State picks.

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