STATE COLLEGE – This was one of the most perplexing questions in an annual NFL Draft routine filled with unexpected evaluations.
How many basketballs does it take to fill a school bus?
More than a dozen Penn State football players working out during Friday's pro day at Holba Hall shared their experiences in the NFL's ongoing series of handshake interviews.
It all leads to the draft and free agency frenzy late next month. NFL officials taunt players and ask quizzes and questions about animals, fruits and the alphabet.
We also provide brain teasers to assess your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
As Penn State NFL tight end Theo Johnson and linebacker Curtis Jacobs said in separate interviews, they were asked by an unnamed NFL team coach how many basketballs would fit on a bus. .
“I had a lot of questions myself: Is the basketball flat? Are there seats (on the bus)?” Jacobs told reporters with a smile. “There's a lot to know.
“They want to know how you analyze it. But I was thinking about it seriously. I wanted to know…”
When asked Friday, Johnson laughed and did not provide an answer. “It was a long calculation about the width of the basketball, the width of the seat, the height. I'm not going to do it in front of you all here.”
Jacobs said he estimates he will need between 1,000 and 3,000 basketballs to do the work. If the ball were deflated, that number would be tripled.
“I think you have to analyze it and ask questions, because in the league you have to solve problems that you don't necessarily really know about. It's just a matter of analyzing the situation and what you can do. Think about it and get help if you need it.”
His NFL story:Is Penn State's football star on the rise again? How Karen King sees his NFL future…
His NCAA mission:Carter Starocci is excited about Penn State Wrestling Association, NCAA: 'I'll try everything in three days'
NFL types reportedly asked players if they had more cats or dogs, bananas or apples.
I asked them if they could recite each letter of the alphabet with its corresponding number: A1, B2, C3…
Offensive lineman Hunter Nurzad, an Ivy League engineering graduate, laughed as he talked about the test.
“That sounds easy. When (an NFL coach) said that, I thought, 'Oh, this is a piece of cake,' but it's not. Especially when you have people staring at you trying to do it.” teeth.”
Penn State Football: Saquon Barkley Representative Sher
Former Penn State star Saquon Barkley, who just joined the Philadelphia Eagles, showed up to his pro day in an interesting T-shirt choice.
His white shirt featured Cher, the ageless entertainer, actress, and pop singer.
Barkley spent Friday morning on the sideline playing with his young son and talking with friends, former teammates and current players.
He did not explain his wardrobe choices to the media.
Penn State football: Alex Felkins kicks to the moon
One of the unexpected joys of a pro day workout at Holba Hall is watching from afar as former Penn State transfer kicker Alex Felkins attempts a field goal.
He was perfect from inside 45 yards. Despite some subsequent problems, he made successful connections from distances beyond normal means, such as 60 and 61 yards.
Of course, that was the beauty of pro day, there were no crowds on the sidelines, no defenders, no disruption from the weather.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. To contact him, fbodan@ydr.com Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
