2007 NFL Draft

Paul Posluszny - 6' 1 5/8" 238lbs 4.7-40

Scouts - Great instincts, but lacks ideal size/bulk and not strong at the point of attack

Drafted 2nd Round - Buffalo Bills

Pro Career:  Has missed 17 games in 3 years (including a knee injury).  Effort player that too often gets absorbed by blocks.

2008 NFL Draft

Dan Connor - 6' 2 3/8" 231lbs 4.7-40

Scouts - Great instincts, but lacks ideal size/bulk and not strong at the point of attack.

Drafted 3rd Round - Carolina Panthers

Pro Career:  Has missed 13 games in 2 years (knee injury).   Has had a hard time finding the field.

2010 NFL Draft

Sean Lee - 6' 2 1/8" 236lbs - 4.7-40

Scouts - Great instincts, but lacks ideal size/bulk and not strong at the point of attack.  Durability (knee injury).

Drafted 2nd Round - Dallas Cowboys

Pro Career:  TBD

Lots of good discussion in regards to the Cowboys (over?)ranking of LB Sean Lee in what was considered to be a fairly weak 2010 ILB class.  While it's not totally fair to compare Lee to his predecessors, it's difficult to avoid.

Similar to the disappointments of Buckeye's AJ Hawk (Packers #1), Bobby Carpenter (Cowboys #1), and Anthony Schlegel (Jets #3) in the 2006 NFL Draft, the recent Nittany Lion LB class from "Linebacker U" have not had their college success carry on at the next level.

While Poz and Connor were drafted by teams with 4-man fronts, Lee was drafted by the Cowboys who employ a 3-man front.  I think this is what perhaps what puzzled me the most, as I never saw this pick coming.  However, we all witnessed aging Keith Brooking (of similar size) play extremely well a year ago in our system, so I will reserve judgement on Mr. Lee (for now).