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Penn State is once again looking to see a number of former players go on to enjoy NFL success, starting in the NFL draft. Among the top draft prospects in this year's NFL draft cycle is also hoping to be a first-round draft pick. According to one mock draft from USA TODAY Sports, that could be in the cards.
Offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane is projected to be a first-round draft pick, according to a new mock draft published by Ayrton Ostly for USA TODAY Sports. In Ostly's latest projection for the 2026 NFL draft, Ioane would be the 22nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, where the former Nittany Lion lineman would be coached by former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
"Los Angeles' interior offensive line needs more help than most and it's hard to do better than Ioane," Ostly says. "The Penn State product is the top pure-interior offensive line talent in the class with good athleticism and excellent physicality."
If this projection pans out, Ioane would be the first guard from Penn State selected in the first round of the NFL draft since 1996, when Jeff Hartings was the No. 23 overall pick of the Detroit Lions. The last guard drafted out of Penn State was Connor McGovern (Dallas Cowboys, 2019, 3rd Round, No. 90 overall). Offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu was a first-round pick of the New York Jets in 2024, going 11th overall.
Ioane will get a chance to improve or solidify his draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine, which he is expected to attend. The combine runs from February 23 through March 2. The NFL draft begins on April 23 with the first round and runs through April 25.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State offensive lineman projected as NFL Draft first round pick
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Offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane is projected to be a first-round draft pick, according to a new mock draft published by Ayrton Ostly for USA TODAY Sports. In Ostly's latest projection for the 2026 NFL draft, Ioane would be the 22nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, where the former Nittany Lion lineman would be coached by former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
"Los Angeles' interior offensive line needs more help than most and it's hard to do better than Ioane," Ostly says. "The Penn State product is the top pure-interior offensive line talent in the class with good athleticism and excellent physicality."
If this projection pans out, Ioane would be the first guard from Penn State selected in the first round of the NFL draft since 1996, when Jeff Hartings was the No. 23 overall pick of the Detroit Lions. The last guard drafted out of Penn State was Connor McGovern (Dallas Cowboys, 2019, 3rd Round, No. 90 overall). Offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu was a first-round pick of the New York Jets in 2024, going 11th overall.
Ioane will get a chance to improve or solidify his draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine, which he is expected to attend. The combine runs from February 23 through March 2. The NFL draft begins on April 23 with the first round and runs through April 25.
Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State offensive lineman projected as NFL Draft first round pick
Continue reading...
