Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher was the first of seven Nittany Lions to make it to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, but it was a tough day compared to some of the other NFL draft prospects. Mustipher’s numbers haven’t done much to move the needle as the NFL Draft nears, and the results of the combine alone may leave some questioning whether Mustipher will even be drafted.
Mustipher lacked the speed and athleticism displayed by many other defensive tackles in the mix. But there’s something to be said for how the combine isn’t necessarily the best way to showcase what Mustipher can bring to the table on an NFL roster. But it’s clear that Mustipher may now face a bit of an uphill battle to be drafted by an NFL franchise. But a late-round draft pick could still be worth investing in Mustipher’s future if the right team comes along.
Here’s a look at the final numbers from the NFL combine for PJ Mustipher.
Measurable values
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 2: Penn State defensive end PJ Mustipher takes part in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 320 lbs
Hand: 32 3/4″
Hand: 9″
40 yard dash
March 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (DL10) participates in the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Office hours: 5.41
PJ Mustipher ran the slowest 40-yard dash time at the combine among defensive throwers. Mustipher was two hundredths of a second slower than Baylor’s Siaki Ika.
Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey led all defensive tackles with a time of 4.67, which was 14 hundredths of a second faster than OklahomaJalen Redmond for fastest time among defensive tackles.
A division of 10 seconds
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 2: Penn State defensive end PJ Mustipher competes in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Official halftime: 1.88
With the slowest 40-yard dash time among defensive tackles, it’s no shocker to see that PJ Mustipher had the slowest 10-yard dash time in his best 40-yard dash. Mustipher tied Baylor’s Siaki Ika for the slowest 19-yard split, but Ika had a slightly stronger finish to his 40-yard dash.
Vertical jump
March 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (DL10) during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Obligatory credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Official record: 27.50″
PJ Mustipher fell in the bottom half of the defensive tackles in a vertical jump at the combine. Mustipher’s vertical leap was two inches higher than the lowest jump among defensive backs (Alabama’s DJ Dale was measured at 25.50 inches) and tied with Coastal Carolina’s Jerrod Clark and Texas’ Keondre Coburn.
Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond led all defensive tackles with an impressive 34.50 inches.
Long jump
March 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive end PJ Mustipher (DL10) speaks to reporters at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Official distance: 8’0″
PJ Mustipher got to the bottom of the defensive tackles combined with an eight-foot wide jump. He was one of four defensive players to clear just shy of nine feet in the long jump (Coastal Carolina’s Jerrod Clark, Texas’ Keondre Coburn and Alabama’s DJ Dale).
Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond and South Carolina’s Zacch Pickens led all defensive tackles with a 9’8″ broad jump.
NFL combine degree
March 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (DL10) participates in the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Combine Rating: 5.62
If Mustipher was looking to increase his draft stock based solely on his performance at the NFL combine, he might be a bit disappointed with the results. Mustipher ranked near the bottom of the defensive tackles in every category, failing to impress some of the best players at the same position on scouting’s biggest stage.
The final grade from the NFL combine was 5.62, which projects Mustipher as a lower roster or practice squad player.
Mustipher will have a chance to improve on these numbers for scouts at Penn State’s pro day, and pro day results have typically impressed scouts and coaches visiting Happy Valley. Maybe Mustipher will redeem himself in the eyes of scouts then.