Michael Mauti became Penn State’s emotional leader (Photo: Rob Christy-USA TODAY Sports)
DraftBrowns.com Staff Writer: Justin Higdon
Penn State was hammered by NCAA sanctions in 2012, and unsurprisingly, a number of players jumped ship. However, some of the seniors, including linebacker Michael Mauti, opted to stay and support the school through the tough times. Mauti had worked his way back from a knee injury, became the team’s emotional leader, and played some of the best football of his career. Unfortunately, despite the team’s relative success, Mauti’s season did not end on a high note.
Michael Mauti Penn State MLB 6’2 235
Mauti is on the shelf with a knee injury for the second year in a row, so even if the Nittany Lions were bowl-eligible, he’d most likely miss the game. Throughout his college career, Mauti showed a nose for the ball carrier. He’s a tough, instinctive player and a sure tackler. He has ability to drop back into coverage and read the quarterbacks’ eyes, and the discipline and athleticism to stay at home and act as a spy. If healthy, Mauti will be able to contribute immediately on special teams, covering kicks. At Penn State he was one of the gunners and often one of the first players down the field. Mauti doesn’t have great speed, but he closes quickly and rarely fails to wrap up the runner. He gives excellent sideline-to-sideline effort and does a terrific job shedding blocks. Mauti is not expected to be healthy enough for an All-Star game appearance and his draft status will depend largely on how he checks out medically. It will be interesting to see how far along he is in his recovery by the time April rolls around.
Game Notes:
Vs. Illinois (’12)
- Showing up as the punt team gunner and forces a muff.
- Does a good job shedding blocks – very hard for the blockers to lock him out of a play.
- Great effort sideline to sideline.
- Rarely misses tackles.
- Drops into coverage near the GL and jumps the route for a big INT return.
- Comes clean on a blitz to get a sack.
- Need to see if he retains his speed after the latest injury.
- Reads the QBs eyes and gets in front of the pass for another INT
Vs. Ohio State (’12)
- Sure tackler, instinctive read and react ‘backer.
- Will be able to contribute on special teams right away at the very least.
- Nice job staying home and spying Braxton Miller on a QB run.
- Looks comfortable in coverage.
- Closes well, not great speed by any means but decent
Vs. Iowa (’12)
- Nose for the ballcarrier, very tough and instinctive player.
- Sure tackler.
- Has ability to drop back into coverage.
- Drops back, reads the QB’s eyes and gets an INT.
- Impressive instincts in coverage situations