Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 16, 2015

The NFL draft has been good to Penn State the last 10 years, as the Nittany Lions have produced 36 picks. That total is more impressive when you consider Penn State had no picks in 2005.

The program has lived up to its billing as ?Linebacker U,? producing nine picks at that storied position in State College, Pa. No other position has produced as many NFL picks over the last 10 years for PSU. The Nittany Lions also have been fertile on both lines and in the defensive backfield. The offensive skill spots? Not so productive.

There are several Nittany Lions who are primed to be selected in this year?s draft. OT Donovan Smith may be a first-round selection. DE Deion Barnes, TE Jesse James, LB Mike Hull, DB Adrian Amos and G Miles Diffenbach also have good chances to come off the board, among other Nittany Lions.

Here is a look at how Penn State has fared in the last 10 NFL drafts.

PENN STATE DRAFT 2005-14

Highest pick: No. 5 overall, OT Levi Brown, 2007/Cardinals

Most fertile draft: 2006 and 2010, six selections

Total first-round picks: 4

Total picks: 36

Position breakdown:

  • Linebacker: 9
  • Defensive line: 8
  • Offensive line: 7
  • Defensive back: 4
  • Running back: 3
  • Receiver: 3
  • Tight end: 2

***

2005

None

2006

First round: DE Tamba Hali, Chiefs

Fourth round: RB Michael Robinson, 49ers

Fourth round: DB Calvin Lowry, Titans

Fourth round: CB Alan Zemaitis, Buccaneers

Sixth round: G Tyler Reed, Bears

Seventh round: DB Ethan Kilmer, Bengals

2007

First round: OT Levi Brown, Cardinals

Second round: LB Paul Posluszny, Bills

Third round: NT Jay Alford, Giants

Third round: RB Tony Hunt, Eagles

Fifth round: LB Tim Shaw, Panthers

2008

Third round: LB Dan Connor, Panthers

Fourth round: CB Justin King, Rams

2009

First round: DE Aaron Maybin, Bills

Third round: WR Derrick Williams, Lions

Third round: WR Deon Butler, Seahawks

Fourth round: G Rich Ohrnberger, Patriots

Seventh round: C A.Q. Shipley, Steelers

2010

First round: DE Jared Odrick, Dolphins

Second round: LB Sean Lee, Cowboys

Third round: LB NaVorro Bowman, 49ers

Fifth round: TE Andrew Quarless, Packers

Seventh round: TE Mickey Shuler, Vikings

Seventh round: LB Josh Hull, Rams

2011

Second round: G Stefen Wisniewski, Raiders

Sixth round: RB Evan Royster, Redskins

2012

Second round: DT Devon Still, Bengals

Fifth round: G Johnnie Troutman, Chargers

Fifth round: DE Jack Crawford, Raiders

Seventh round: LB Nathan Stupar, Raiders

2013

Third round: DT Jordan Hill, Seahawks

Fourth round: LB Gerald Hodges, Vikings

Seventh round: LB Michael Mauti, Vikings

2014

Second round: WR Allen Robinson, Jaguars

Fourth round: DT DaQuan Jones, Titans

Fifth round: G John Urschel, Ravens

About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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