Penn State University edge defender Jesse Luketa has suffered an apparent leg injury during his second run of the forty-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine.
The Canadian product weighed in at six-foot-three, 253-pounds with 32 and 5/8-inch arms before posting an unofficial time of 4.89 seconds with a 1.68 ten-yard split in his first run, but pulled up limping early in his second attempt.
Oh no! PSU EDGE Jesse Luketa comes up limping on his 2nd run.
Hope he's okay. #NFL #NFLCombine #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/KovP1Y9Jrz
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 5, 2022
The Ottawa-raised defender needed to answer questions concerning his bend and fluidity of movement in the on-field drills, but may now be unable to perform in front of NFL decision-makers in the hopes of improving his draft stock. Prior to his forty, Luketa posted a nine-foot, six-inch broad jump and a 37.5-inch vertical, but had not yet performed other drills.
Described as a “positionless player” by some analysts, Luketa played 12 games as a senior in 2021 for the Nittany Lions, recording 61 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, half a sack and one interception which he returned for a touchdown. He finished his four-year NCAA career with 151 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, six passed defended and one fumble recovery playing both defensive end and off-ball linebacker.
Entering the week, top NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah dubbed Luketa a potential third-round pick, with a chance to cement his Day Two status with a strong performance in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, the Canadian will have to wait until his pro day to make his case to become “the most disruptive defender on the field” in the NFL.
