Penn State junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg will forego his final year of college enter the 2016 NFL Draft.
Hackenberg joins the likes of Cardale Jones, Preston Lynch and Jared Goff in joining the draft a year early. Hackenberg left Saturday’s TaxSlayer Bowl in the second quarter after falling hard on his throwing shoulder.
According to Penn State head coach James Franklin the injury to Hackenberg is not serious and x-rays were negative. Franklin called Hackenberg’s injury a “sprained shoulder joint.”
A three year starter for Penn State, Hackenberg’s best season came in 2013 as a freshman under Bill O’Brien when he threw for 2,955 yards and 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. Since then he has taken a step back in parts due to a dilapidated offensive line which has allowed 82 sacks of the last two seasons.
The size of Hackenberg makes him an interesting NFL prospect but accuracy and footwork is still a major concern.
