Dilfer: Scouts will 'drool' for Hackenberg when he leaves PSU
Trent Dilfer is still all aboard the Christian Hackenberg bandwagon.
The NFL analyst dropped some college football knowledge on ESPN Wednesday morning. He had some complimentary words for the Penn State quarterback.
And some not-so-kind words for Penn State.
Dilfer on ESPN just now: When Hackenberg gets out of the bad situation he's in right now, scouts will drool. T5 pick. Analog: Troy Aikman.
— Mike Gross (@MikeGrossLNP) September 30, 2015
Here’s the audio:
Hackenberg is been all over the map is an NFL prospect. The Lions junior is atop Todd McShay’s 2016 mock draft while other scouts have said he’s undraftable.
Dilfer, however, has remained a believer in the 6-4 signal-caller. After watching him play in the Pinstripe Bowl, in which he threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns, Dilfer went out on a limb and made a bold prediction about Hackenberg’s future.
Trent Dilfer just predicted on "Dilfer's Dimes" that Christian Hackenberg is a future first overall pick in the NFL Draft
— Ryan Pasternak (@RyanPasternak) December 29, 2014
Dilfer also got a chance to see Hackenberg in person over the summer at the Elite11 quarterback camp, where he was joined by Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett.
Here’s proof:
Trent Dilfer breaking things down between #Elite11 counselors/#BigTen rivals JT Barrett and Christian Hackenberg. pic.twitter.com/I1Tm6xrCAL
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) July 7, 2015
Ironically, Hackenberg requested that the media not ask him about his NFL future before the start of the 2015 season.
He remains an enigma in 2015. Through three games this season, he had only thrown for an average of 124 yards per game with just one touchdown pass to speak of. Against San Diego State last week, he threw for a season-best 296 yards and three touchdowns.
Potentially without tailbacks Akeel Lynch and Saquon Barkley, Hackenberg could have to do the heavy living when Army comes to Happy Valley on Saturday.