Eight Penn State Players Projected to Be Drafted in 2026 NFL Draft

ESPN analyst Matt Miller predicts a strong showing for the Nittany Lions in the upcoming pro selection process.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:53am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a Penn State football player in action, with sharp planes of navy blue, white, and gold colors representing the team's uniform and the dynamic movement of the game.Penn State's talented 2026 NFL Draft class reflects the program's continued success in developing pro-ready talent.Dallas Today

According to ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller, Penn State is expected to have eight players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, the most for the program since 2024. The projected Nittany Lions draftees include guard Vega Ioane, quarterback Drew Allar, safety Zakee Wheatley, running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, offensive tackle Drew Shelton, and defensive tackle Zane Durant.

Why it matters

Penn State has consistently produced NFL-caliber talent in recent years, and this year's projected eight draft picks would mark the third consecutive season the program has had a player selected on Day 1. The strong draft class reflects the continued success of the Nittany Lions' football program under head coach James Franklin.

The details

In Miller's seven-round mock draft, Ioane is projected to be the first Penn State player off the board, going to the Carolina Panthers with the 19th overall pick. Allar is then slated to be selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round, while Wheatley joins Ioane in Carolina in the third round. The remaining five Nittany Lions are projected to be picked on Days 3 and 4 of the draft.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Vega Ioane

A versatile offensive lineman who played guard, center, and right guard in college. Ioane is projected to be a first-round pick, potentially going to the Carolina Panthers with the 19th overall selection.

Drew Allar

The Nittany Lions' starting quarterback, Allar is expected to be a Day 2 pick, with the Los Angeles Rams potentially selecting him in the second round.

Zakee Wheatley

A rangy safety who could provide depth and versatility to the Carolina Panthers' secondary, Wheatley is projected to be a third-round selection.

Nick Singleton

The Nittany Lions' star running back, Singleton is projected to be a fourth-round pick of the Houston Texans.

Dani Dennis-Sutton

A talented defensive end, Dennis-Sutton is expected to be a fourth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys.

Kaytron Allen

Singleton's backfield mate, Allen is projected to be a fifth-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Drew Shelton

The Nittany Lions' starting offensive tackle, Shelton is expected to be a fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos.

Zane Durant

A defensive tackle, Durant is projected to be a seventh-round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals.

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What they’re saying

“The Panthers have two highly paid guards in Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, but they will be entering their age-29 and age-30 seasons, respectively. So there's a future need there, plus an immediate need at center. Ioane played left guard, center and right guard in college and has the power to be an effective run blocker at any position.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN Draft Analyst

“Matthew Stafford was last season's MVP, but he's also 38 years old. The Rams could take a swing on Allar's traits and potential to develop him for a season and hope to tap into his high-end arm talent.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN Draft Analyst

“Tre'von Moehrig is Carolina's enforcer in the box, but there's a need for a back-end safety. Wheatley's range at 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds gives him the versatility that would fit in the Panthers' defense.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN Draft Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft order will be finalized in the coming months, and teams will continue to evaluate prospects leading up to the event. Penn State's pro day and individual workouts will be closely watched as the Nittany Lions look to maximize their representation in the draft.

The takeaway

Penn State's strong 2026 NFL Draft class reflects the program's sustained success under head coach James Franklin. The Nittany Lions' ability to develop NFL-caliber talent year after year has made them a consistent pipeline to the pro ranks, and this year's projected eight draft picks would be the most for the program since 2024.