The stage has been set for Andrew Quarless.
The tight end is one of six Penn State players ready to impress scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Running through March 2, the combine puts players through tests like the 40-yard dash and the bench press, pulling them out for interviews and the Wonderlic Test. Besides Quarless, linebackers Navorro Bowman, Josh Hull and Sean Lee, defensive tackle Jared Odrick and quarterback Daryll Clark represent the Nittany Lions. Former quarterback Anthony Morelli will also hold a personal workout on Friday at the combine, according to the Associated Press.
"I can showcase my talent," Quarless said. "I'm pleased with my numbers. I want to wake up a lot of people that have been sleeping on me."
Quarless trained down in Atlanta, where he got to watch players like Evander "Ziggy" Hood, who was a first-round selection last year.
What stood out to Quarless about Hood was Hood's work ethic and motivation.
Though the NFL Draft isn't until April 22, this is the opportunity for players to address any lingering concerns teams have.
When it comes to Quarless, Ourlads.com's Dan Shonka said the tight end has to prove he doesn't just go through the motions and does push hard on every play. Shonka sees scouts having no physical concerns with Bowman, but he will have to impress teams with his answers regarding past "red flags" off the field and prove they're cleared up. But NFL.com's Bucky Brooks still has the linebacker going No. 19 overall to the Atlanta Falcons.
As for Lee, some still question his past injuries.
"Some teams are little tougher on knees than others," Shonka said. "Some people might put him on the sideboard and not take him until the third or fourth round, where some other teams say, 'No he's fine,' and take him in the second round."
Lee, who has been training in Lancaster, has to prove to teams that his knee injury problems are in the past, especially the 2008 season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. His father, Craig, said both of his son's knees are perfect.
Lee's father expects the linebacker to also impress scouts with his intangibles, as he was as a captain for every team he's played on.
"I know Sean's done absolutely everything possible to maximize his performance there," Lee's father said.
Out of the six Penn Staters, Odrick has been placed in the first round by analysts the most consistently. Shonka has Odrick going to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 31 and said he's the kind of player he'd love to have if he were a scout. Brooks has Odrick going there as well.
Clark is more of a fringe candidate in terms of being drafted, Shonka said. But he expects the quarterback to find a home at the next level, probably as a running back, like current San Francisco 49er and former Nittany Lion quarterback Michael Robinson.
But this is the big opportunity for players like Clark and Quarless to prove their worth on a big stage.
"It's just do what you do," Quarless said. "Stay relaxed, stay loose. 'This is something I've done my whole life.' You have that mindset."
