2022-04-28 07:00:00
NFL Draft outlook for Iowa, Iowa State and UNI
Trevor Penning, Tyler Linderbaum and Breece Hall will represent their respective Iowa football programs in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Adam Hensley, Wochit
It’s official: Trevor Penning is the first Northern Iowa football player in program history selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The New Orleans Saints selected the Panther tackle with the 19th pick on Thursday night.
“Kurt Warner’s beaming inside the draft hall right now,” NFL Network host Rich Eisen said of his co-worker, a fellow former Northern Iowa Panther.
The Saints needed offensive line help, and the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah thinks he can step in right away to make an impact.
“There’s your starting left tackle,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said. “(Penning has the) ideal frame, reminds me of Jake Long. He is nasty.”
ESPN’s Mel Kiper wasn’t as kind, though.
More: Trevor Penning goes No. 19 to New Orleans Saints, becomes highest-drafted UNI player
Kiper didn’t deny Penning’s nastiness, saying the Panther tackle “just beats you up.”
But Kiper has concerns with Penning’s tendency to grab and be called for holding penalties.
“He had a lot of penalties,” Kiper said. “He gets really grabby. He’s going to get flagged for holding penalties in the NFL if he keeps this technique, which is not good. At the left tackle in the NFL, he could be overmatched right away. He needs to be coached up, needs more bend.
“I thought he could be a right tackle or guard. (At) left tackle, he’s going to be a work in progress. Heavily penalized in college, that will continue in the NFL. The offensive line coach is key for Trevor Penning. The talent is there, technique needs work, but nobody’s meaner. He plays way beyond the whistle, guys. … the talent is there. He just needs coaching.”
Read more about Trevor Penning and the 2022 NFL Draft
Adam Hensley is a digital producer with the USA Today Network. You can follow him on Twitter @A_Hens83 or reach him at [email protected].
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