Edge Rusher Player Profile - Jayson Oweh: Penn State

By: Shawn Williams

The Penn State Nittany Lion’s defense boasts more than star LB Micah Parsons, and after the PSU Pro Day, it’s another pass rusher that took home all the praise. 6’5, 257 pound Jayson Oweh is an athletic freak of nature, and that showed up big time with a remarkable 4.39 40, 11’2” broad jump, and a mesmerizing 6.84 3-cone drill.

There may not be another pass rusher in this draft as athletically gifted as Oweh. His potential is incalculable, but he’s incredibly raw, and it shows on tape and in the numbers. Oweh, as a role player, recorded five sacks in 2019.  His 2020 red-shirt sophomore season (and first as a full-time starter) produced zero.  That could be a big “Yikes” for teams and scouts drooling over his pro day.  Jayson was a star basketball player in high school, and didn’t explode onto the football scene until his senior year. He only played in 20 football games in college. For all the raw potential he shows, teams must realize he’s likely a project player.
 
Oweh’s athletic gifts and great length need some balancing. He is very lean, and needs to add strength and power in order to consistently win match-ups at the next level. He may be used sparingly as a rookie while he refines his game, but could be a very capable special teamer in his early years. His rawness shouldn’t affect his draft stock, as he’s currently projected a first or second round guy. With good coaching, a patient approach, and a good scheme fit, he should have no problem reaching his ceiling.