Canadian defensive back Jonathan Sutherland had a strong showing at Penn State’s pro day on Friday, increasing his stock ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The five-foot-11, 202-pound defender reportedly clocked a 4.58-second forty-yard dash while leaping 37.5 inches in the vertical and 10-foot, three inches in the broad jump. He also ran a 4.13-second short shuttle and 6.87-second three-cone, while putting up 25 reps on the bench.
A four-star recruit who attended Episcopal High School in Virginia, Sutherland committed to Penn State in 2017 and has seen significant playing time on defence since the 2018 season. He is one of just two four-time team captains in school history and was the first player awarded the jersey number ‘0’ due to his effort on special teams.
Sutherland made the transition from safety to a hybrid linebacker role in 2022, collecting 38 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack in 13 games. In 58 career appearances for the Nittany Lions, he has 137 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and two blocked kicks.
The versatile defender was rated the ninth-best prospect in the 2023 CFL Draft and has been floated as a potential candidate to be selected first overall by his hometown Ottawa Redblacks. However, Sutherland’s strong showing in front of all 32 NFL teams at his pro day could increase his chances of being selected late in the 2023 NFL Draft or signed as a free agent, which is likely to decrease his stock north of the border.
