What We Learned From Penn State Pro Day

Johnny Dixon will be ready for rookie minicamps

The Penn State cornerback sustained a hip injury before the NFL Draft Combine and did not work out. Dixon said Friday that he's 2-3 weeks from being "fully recovered" and conducted his interview without crutches, a good sign. He did not have surgery.

"I've been through worse," Dixon said. "It's just realizing that my journey isn't over, my story isn't over. And I know that I'm going to make it through and still be everything I want to be."

Regarding his decision not to join the team in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl, Dixon said, "It was tough and [there was] a lot that went into it. I decided not to go and to go train [for the combine]."

Chop Robinson says he's '100 percent' a first-rounder

The defensive end's name has swayed in and out of round in pre-draft mocks, with one analyst grading Robinson in the second round. But after his strong combine performance, Robinson might be trending upward again. Not that he needed the validation. Asked whether he considers himself a first-rounder, Robinson said, "100 percent."

"I’m a guy who shows up every single day and gives everything I got," Robinson said. "I’m consistent with everything I do. I’ve got the best get-off and the best bend. You can’t teach that. That’s very natural for me."

Added Robinson said, "I don’t pay attention to any mock drafts. Wherever I end up — first, second, third round, fourth round — doesn't matter to me. They’re going to get the same player regardless of the pick."

Questions for Olu

Olu Fashanu, Penn State's first-round pick at left tackle, worked through some position drills Friday after sustaining a minor injury during the combine. He moved well and didn't appear limited. He also has spent the combine answering nearly as many questions about his teammates as he did about himself.

"That's something that I can talk about all day long," Fashanu said. "Whatever teams draft them, they're getting steals."

As for unique combine interview questions, Fashanu offered this one: "The only question that wasn't football related was, 'Who's the GOAT? LeBron [James] or MJ [Michael Jordan]?'"

Fashanu's answer? "LeBron."

Noteworthy

Two former Lions who performed combine drills at Pro Day were safety Keaton Ellis and running back Trey Potts. Ellis ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, a time that pleased him, and the 5-9 Potts ran a 4.6. Both players seek to connect with teams after Pro Day.

Former Penn State receiver DaeSean Hamilton caught passes from Drew Allar as he seeks to return from a 2022 injury. Unfortunately, Hamilton appeared to be injured during the workout. No further details were available.

Fashanu said that he spent time at the combine catching up with USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The two were high school teammates at Gonzaga College High in Maryland.