Michael Mauti, OLB

03/12/2013 - 2013 Penn State Pro Day: Recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, Michael Mauti was unable to work out for scouts Monday. According to linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden, however, Mauti is progressing well. "He's way ahead of schedule and from what I hear everything is going good," Vanderlinden said. "Hopefully he'll get into the NFL and all his injuries will be behind him.

Scouts and coaches from 23 NFL teams were represented at the workout. Among the teams represented were the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

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Usually high-profile recruits out of the state of Louisiana end up in Baton Rouge, but Mauti followed his brother north to Penn State in order to be a part of the school's rich linebacker tradition. However, knee injuries have stunted his development and put his NFL future in doubt because of long-term durability concerns.

Mauti, whose father starred at Penn State in the ?70s and went on to have a seven-year NFL career, spurned several SEC offers out of high school and played in every game as a true freshman reserve in 2008.

He suffered his first ACL injury (right knee) prior to the 2009 season and took a medical redshirt. Not yet at full health, Mauti was a part-time starter in 2010 before starting the first four games in 2011, but another ACL tear (left knee) ended his season.

He is expected to return as a starter in 2012 as a senior, but with two surgically repaired knees, fans and scouts alike will be anxious to see how Mauti plays post-injury.

Mauti is a good, not great, athlete with adequate physical tools for the next level, but his best attributes are his natural awareness and decisive read/react skills. Based on his instincts and playing temperament, Mauti reminds scouts of former Lions Paul Posluszny and Sean Lee (both second round NFL Draft picks), but his durability, including a healthy senior season, will determine his NFL draft value.

--Dane Brugler