Four former Penn State football players will head to Indianapolis in two weeks as they continue on their quest to being selected in April’s NFL draft.

Center Matt Stankiewitch, defensive tackle Jordan Hill, and linebackers Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges were among the 333 college football players to receive an invite to the NFL combine which will take place from February 20-26 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The week-long NFL scouting combine features several speed, agility, strength, and intelligence tests as NFL teams begin to prepare their draft boards. According to the official combine website, Stankiewitch will workout in front of scouts on Saturday, February 23 while the other three Nittany Lions will wait until Monday, February 25 for their day.

Most draft projections have Hill slotted to be the first of the four players taken in either the third or fourth round, but Mauti’s health and performance will be key. Some teams may be scared off given his history with knee injuries, but if he can prove he is healthy, one franchise will be getting a big-time steal late in the draft.

Other Football Notes: 

• Penn State has not yet confirmed the report, but Marshall coach Doc Holliday told the Daily Mail in West Virginia that newly hired defensive assistant Anthony Midget would be leaving the Thundering Herd after only a few weeks to take a job with the Nittany Lions. An opening was created here following Ted Roof’s departure to Georgia Tech and John Butler’s promotion to defensive coordinator. Midget spent the 2012 season as Georgia State’s defensive coordinator and was a stud cornerback on the 1999 Virginia Tech team that reached the BCS National Championship game.
• Garry Gilliam announced on Twitter yesterday that he would be switching positions from tight end to offensive tackle. The move makes a lot of sense. Listed at 6-6, 262 lb. Gilliam only had seven receptions last season but was the Nittany Lions’ best blocking tight end. With Kyle Carter, Jesse James, Matt Lehman, and Adam Breneman, the position remains very deep while the Nittany Lions will have at least two starting spots to fill along the offensive line after losing Stankiewitch and right tackle Mike Farrell to graduation.

I am officially an Offensive Tackle!

— Garry Gilliam (@GarryGilliam89) February 7, 2013

The team is set to have a 5:30 a.m. workout this morning. If Bill O’Brien comments on any of this, we will provide an update.