Bill O’Brien Builds on NFL Ties, Experience, at Penn St

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - One of the biggest selling points first-year Penn State coach Bill O'Brien can make to potential recruits relates to his previous job.

Those NFL connections he made as offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots are already coming in handy in Happy Valley. NFL scouts are regulars at Nittany Lions practices - another one of the bevy of changes in the new era of Penn State football.

Having scouts at a college practice isn't unusual. But under the late coach Joe Paterno's watch at Penn State, it was an infrequent occurrence at best.

Contrast that to Wednesday's low-key, off-week practice for the Nittany Lions (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten). Eleven NFL teams showed up, including the Broncos, Browns, Jets, Steelers and Vikings.

Penn State next plays Oct. 20 at Iowa.

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