Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley selected in 5th round by Panthers
Zakee Wheatley arrived on campus at Penn State as a cornerback however transitioned to safety and have become a two-year starter from 2024-25.
How he’ll issue in on the subsequent stage stays to be seen, however the Carolina Panthers, seemingly intrigued by his versatility, will discover out quickly sufficient, as they selected Wheatley in the course of the fifth round (151st general) on Saturday in the course of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Wheatley was the fifth Nittany Lion selected in the draft, following offensive linemen Vega Ioane (14th general, Baltimore) and Drew Shelton (112th, Cowboys), quarterback Drew Allar (Steelers, 76th) and defensive finish Dani Dennis-Sutton (one hundred and twentieth, Green Bay).
Wheatley leans into its versatility and physicality.
“I think I’m pretty versatile,” Wheatley instructed reporters on the NFL Combine. “I think the beginning years at Penn State, I was aligned in the post and showed off my range, but this year allowed me to be in the box and fill the alley more. I really appreciate that part of the game. … The NFL looks for guys who can do multiple things.”
Last season, Wheatley performed in 12 video games for the Nittany Lions, opting out of the Pinstripe Bowl however nonetheless recording 74 tackles with a fumble restoration, go breakup and interception.
For his efforts, he earned All-Big Ten honorable point out awards.
His best statistical marketing campaign got here in 2024, when Penn State superior to the College Football Playoff semifinal vs. Notre Dame, coming inside a subject purpose of creating it to the nationwide championship.
In the Orange Bowl vs. the Fighting Irish, Wheatley made 16 tackles, tying Kurt Allerman (1976 Gator Bowl) for essentially the most ever by a Penn State participant in a bowl/CFP recreation.
That 12 months, Wheatley posted career-highs with 96 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 go breakups and three picks.
A 6-foot-3, 203-pound native of Crofton, Md., Wheatley performed at Penn State from 2021-25, showing in 58 complete video games with 28 begins. In each 2022 and 2023, he appeared in 13 video games for Penn State, working his approach into the defensive again rotation.
