April 28, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The 2011 National Football League Draft begins Thursday, April 28 at 8:00 p.m. The draft continues Friday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
There are 32 former Nittany Lions on NFL active rosters, placing Penn State in the top 12 nationally among schools in producing current NFL players.
More than 360 Nittany Lions have signed NFL contracts under Joe Paterno's tutelage. The Hall of Fame coach has seen 245 of his players drafted by NFL squads, including 33 first round draft choices. The Miami Dolphins selected All-America defensive tackle Jared Odrick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Four Nittany Lions have been first round draft choices in the past five NFL Drafts: Jared Odrick (Miami, 2010), Aaron Maybin (Buffalo, 2009), Levi Brown (Arizona, 2007) and Tamba Hali (Kansas City, 2006). Thirteen additional Penn State players have been selected within the first four rounds since 2006; 24 overall.
Super Bowl XLV marked the 40th time in the Super Bowl's 45-game history that at least one Penn State alumnus was a member of one of the participating teams. Rookie tight end Andrew Quarless and safeties coach Darren Perry became the latest Nittany Lion alumni to earn a Super Bowl ring, with the Green Bay Packers' victory over Pittsburgh.
Since the start of the 2005 season, Penn State has earned a 58-19 (75.3) record, tied with Oregon for No. 12 in the nation. Over the past six years, the Nittany Lions have won two Big Ten Championships, won four bowl games and played in five New Year's or Bowl Championship Series (BCS) games, the nation's third-highest total.
The Nittany Lions return 15 starters for the 2011 season, (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 17 players that have starting experience. Penn State opens its 125th season Sept. 3 vs. Indiana State in Beaver Stadium, followed by a Sept. 10 visit from Alabama.
Attached please find bios for several 2010 Nittany Lion seniors who may be drafted or sign as NFL free agents.