By Jeff Rice, NN Senior Writer

jrice@nittanynetwork.com

March 17, 2009

NFL scouts and coaches who trek to Penn State’s Holuba Hall for the school’s Pro Day might want to make sure they’re well-stocked with note-taking supplies.

Nearly two dozen Nittany Lions – from All-Americans to one-year starters – will work out for their potential future employers Wednesday in the closely guarded indoor practice facility.

Some of the more high-profile Lions will enter the event with specific goals. Wide receiver Derrick Williams, fighting a case of the flu, recorded a sub-par time in the 40-yard dash at last month’s NFL Combine and will be itching to improve on that today.

Defensive end Maurice Evans, one of two early draft entrants in the Penn State camp this year (All-America defensive end Aaron Maybin, who replaced Evans in the starting lineup last season, is the other), will also seek to improve upon a disappointing performance at the combine.

Wide receiver Deon Butler and center A.Q. Shipley, who both had impressive weeks at the combine, will take the opportunity to get some more face time with scouts or even a coach or executive – last year’s attendees included Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert.

For other players, Wednesday is a chance to simply draw the attention of scouts. Defensive end Josh Gaines, safeties Anthony Scirrotto and Mark Rubin, cornerback Tony Davis, linebacker Tyrell Sales, offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger, fullback Dan Lawlor and placekicker Kevin Kelly all have draft-day hopes but are just as likely to wind up going the free-agent route. They hope to supply the scouts with reasons to consider them.

A pair of former Nittany Lions, fullback Matt Hahn and offensive lineman John Shaw, will also be on hand to take another shot at joining an NFL roster.