More than a dozen Penn State football players worked out before NFL scouts and coaches during yesterday's annual Pro Day.

From the heralded linebacker Paul Posluszny to special teamer Darien Hardy, each had one thing in common: His chance for success at the next level is uncertain, no matter how well he performed in college.

"You're still a rookie," a NFC scout who wished to remain anonymous said after the annual skill showcase for Penn State players inside Holuba Hall. "Very rarely do rookies come in and have an immediate impact on their team."

Still, teams send representatives cross country every year to various college Pro Days -- mock versions of February's NFL Combine, held solely for their players -- to collect information on possible selections before the draft is held in April.

Posluszny, fellow linebacker Tim Shaw, running back Tony Hunt and offensive tackle Levi Brown were the four most notable of 15 or so draft hopefuls who participated in various speed, agility and position drills.

Other participants included Hardy, defensive tackle Jay Alford, fullback BranDon Snow, safety Donnie Johnson, punter Jeremy Kapinos and defensive tackle Ed Johnson, who was suspended from the team prior to January's Outback Bowl for an undisclosed team violation.

Shaw awed scouts by a running a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last month. His time was among the best for linebackers, and he continued to impress yesterday.

He beat his fastest 40-yard dash time by one-hundredth of a second, and improved his broad jump (10 feet, 6 inches) and three-cone drill time (6.68), according to X-A-M Sports & Entertainment, the agency that represents Shaw.

Posluszny also ran faster than he did at the Combine, the NFC scout said, and Shaw said his fellow linebacker was also pleased with his performance in position drills, when teams get a close look at players' footwork and movement.

"I know he did very well in the linebacker drills, which is most important," Shaw said of Posluszny. "There's lots of coaches there to see us do the linebacker drills."

The NFC scout added about Posluszny, "He'll be a standout linebacker. He has some of the best instincts that I've seen at that position."

Hunt, who did not run at the NFL Combine, did so yesterday, but at a slower speed comparable to other running backs entering the draft, the NFC scout said. But the scout quickly added that Hunt's dash performance yesterday shouldn't overshadow his four-year college production.

"He didn't run as fast as we thought. He's not as quick as we thought, but he makes plays on the field," the scout said. "Guys get drafted based on the numbers that they put up in usually February or March, whenever they worked out. People forget what they did during the season. You just can't forget this kid; he was a good football player."

An AFC scout who also wished to remain anonymous said although the times and distances recorded yesterday are considered, most teams have already made up their minds about specific players by now.

"Evaluation-wise, a lot of teams have been finished already," the scout said. "Numbers are to see how well they condition and stay in shape. This is a job interview for them."