Tomlin calls Nittany Lions' Oweh, Parsons a 'freak show'

ALTOONA, Pa. -- Penn State's pro day has become a must-watch event since James Franklin took over the program, and Wednesday's edition featuring eight former Nittany Lions didn't disappoint. 

Those players looked to take the next step in their goal to get to the NFL by taking part in a multitude of drills, including the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, broad jump, bench press, vertical jump and more, as well as position-specific drills. They did so in front of representatives from 31 of the 32 NFL teams, including Mike Tomlin of the Steelers and Joe Judge, head coach of the Giants. The Rams were the lone team not in attendance. 

Jayson Oweh was expected to perform well Thursday, but he exceeded even those lofty expectations. At 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, Oweh has the body and frame to be on the edge in the NFL, and his athleticism could make him elite at the position.

Oweh ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, which is absurd for an athlete his size and backed it up with a pro-shuttle time of 4.21, 21 reps at 225 pounds on the bench and a 39.5-inch vertical jump. People his size usually aren't built to move quite like that.  

His performance earned the attention of Tomlin, who was impressed, according to the Big Ten Network's telecast.

"The numbers are as expected, but this is a freak show out here," Tomlin said, according to the broadcast.

Not to be outdone, Micah Parsons put on a clinic as well in his drills, with numbers rivaling those of a wide receiver or cornerback rather than a linebacker. Parsons, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 246 pounds, ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, 4.40 pro shuttle, did 19 reps at 225 on the bench and had a 34-inch vertical jump. To put that in perspective, former Penn State and current Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Godwin ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2017. 

While they were trying to show off their speed for potential suitors, it was also a competition for Oweh and Parsons when it came to the 40, especially when the Big Ten Network initially announced their times.

"Big Ten Network said that he had a 4.35, so he was, 'I beat you,' " Oweh said. "And then, I was like, 'Bro, you didn't get a 4.35.' I think I got him on that one."

Even Parsons begrudgingly had to admit that.

"I think he had the edge on the day, but overall we competed our butts off today and showed the scouts we're the most competitive duo in the country."

Competitive is right and with Oweh's performance, he gained a lot of ground in potentially being drafted in the first round, where Parsons is expected to go. 

More from pro day can be found below.

DE Jayson Oweh

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.36 seconds

• Pro Shuttle: 4.21 seconds

• Broad Jump: 134"

• Vertical Jump: 39.5"

• Bench Press at 225 pounds: 21 reps

LB Micah Parsons

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.39 seconds

• Pro Shuttle: 4.4 seconds

• Broad Jump: 126"

• Vertical Jump: 34"

• Bench Press at 225 pounds: 19 reps

Parsons on any lingering character concerns: "People have concerns about things that came up. But at the end of the day, I believe that I was a kid, I was 17, 18. We all made mistakes when we were 17, 18. I'm not going to let in control and dictate the person I am now. I'm not going to let something that was three or four years from now dictate who I'm becoming and the father I want to be."

TE Pat Freiermuth

Freiermuth didn't participate in any of the combine drills for pro day, but did take part in the individual position drills session. During that session, he was coached by Pittsburgh's tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts, who has met with Freiermuth, along with Tomlin. 

"It was a really good meeting," Freiermuth said. 

He's a couple weeks ahead of schedule in his recovery from shoulder surgery and should be fully prepared for rehab in 2-3 weeks.

DE Shaka Toney

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.51 seconds

• Pro Shuttle: 4.28 seconds

• Broad Jump: 128"

• Vertical Jump: 39"

• Bench Press at 225 pounds: 24

OL Will Fries

• 40-Yard Dash: 5.33 seconds

• Pro Shuttle: 4.53 seconds

• Broad Jump: 115 inches

• Vertical Jump: 31 inches

• Bench Press at 225 pounds: 24

OL Michal Menet

• Bench Press at 225 pounds: 26

S Lamont Wade

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.47 seconds

• Pro Shuttle: 4.34 seconds

• Broad Jump: 118 inches

• Vertical Jump: 35.5 inches

• Bench Press at 225 pounds: 16

OL Steven Gonzales

• Vertical Jump: 26.5 inches

• Bench Press at 225 pounds: 32

YOUR TURN: Should the Steelers chase down one or both?