Shaka Toney concluded his Nittany Lion career as one of the most productive, disruptive, and consistent defense ends throughout James Franklin’s seven-year tenure leading Penn State football.

In 47 total matchups, Toney tallied 20.5 sacks, good for the fourth-highest career sack output in Penn State history. Additionally, the speed rusher left Happy Valley with four forced fumbles and pass deflections.

Although Toney’s career-spanning output speaks for itself, the road to success wasn’t always as direct.

As just a three-star recruit, the underrated prospect entered his redshirt freshman campaign in 2017 as a slender, undersized defensive end with an outside chance of cracking Sean Spencer’s rotation. Toney was able to gain valuable in-game experience during mop-up action throughout the non-conference slate prior to bursting onto the national scene in week six against Northwestern.

In limited action against the Wildcats, Toney made his presence felt by registering two sacks at the expense of quarterback Clayton Thorson. His first hit resulted in a forced fumble that set up Penn State’s first scoring drive of the afternoon.

DE Shaka Toney had his 1st career multi-sack game & 2nd career forced fumble on a strip-sack of Northwestern's QB.#WeAre pic.twitter.com/JyIhNAaNCq

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 9, 2017

From there, Toney’s output continued to progress on a steady incline, as his initial campaign ended with six tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks. The Philadelphia native’s impressive and unexpected season-long showing earned him a spot on Big Ten Network’s All-Freshman Team.

In his second season of playing eligibility, Toney continued to thrive in an integral role on Penn State’s stout defensive line, despite being positioned as a back-up. The defensive end’s offseason growth immediately showed in the Nittany Lions’ second output of the season against Pitt.

Toney silenced the Heinz Field crowd by continuously flushing quarterback Kenny Pickett out of the pocket, resulting in five solo tackles, including two for a loss and a sack.

Weeks later, Toney’s ability to produce in mass flashed to a new level in must-win action against Indiana. In the fourth quarter alone, he tied the program’s single-game record with four sacks, including a pivotal forced fumble to stifle the driving Hoosier attack and help the Nittany Lions squeak out a victory.

The unprecedented stretch ended with Toney setting a new single-game career-high with six tackles, including four tackles for loss, all of which resulting in sacks. Consequentially, the effort landed him a spot as Penn State’s Defensive Player of the Week.

With increases in total tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks in comparison to his freshman season, Toney entered 2019 as an undisputed starter at defensive end alongside Yetur Gross-Matos. Together, the All-Big Ten tandem combined for 15.5 sacks, making the Nittany Lion pass rush one of the most feared in the country.

As a junior, Toney’s speed shined once again in Penn State’s Homecoming matchup against Purdue. He pestered the Boilermaker protection all afternoon and finished the game with four solo takedowns and three sacks.

There hasn't been the breakout season yet but Shaka Toney (Penn State EDGE 18) is due for one this year. He had 6.5 sacks in 2019 and 3 of them came against Purdue. Does a nice job here with a chop using his inside hand & follows through with a rip move for the sack. pic.twitter.com/PjltSmtcoX

— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) July 24, 2020

Although Toney failed to produce another glaring single-game stat line as a junior, the pass rusher accumulated 40 tackles over a season-long span, resulting in a 17-hit increase from his previous output. After electing to return to campus for his fifth season, the second-team All-Big Ten selection set himself up for a career-defining senior year as the undisputed leader of the Wild Dog pack.

Following a grueling offseason, Toney immediately made his case as the Big Ten’s most dominant defensive presence in Penn State’s opening contest against Indiana. Although opposing quarterback Michael Penix Jr. dazzled late, Toney recorded two sacks and added seven total tackles to the stat sheet despite coming up empty-handed in the win column.

In just eight games, Toney tallied five tackles in all but three matchups. His power was once again on full display against Iowa where he garnered five tackles, including three for a loss and two sacks.

If the season were to be lengthened to its normal 12-game slate, Toney would have shattered his previously set career-highs in every statistical category. His 31-tackle, 7.5-sack output earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors and an invite to the Senior Bowl.

Toney’s career is the poster-child for steady, linear development. In five seasons on campus, the high-motor end was able to grow physically and technically, which, in turn, translated directly to the meteoritic rise in statistical production.

According to NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein, Toney projects to be a fifth-to-sixth round selection in this year’s draft. While the rangy defensive end possesses elite speed, scouts believe his below-average physically could concern front offices looking to select pass rushers in the early rounds.

During his Pro Day, Toney clocked an impressive 4.51 40-yard dash time, which would have been the fastest among defensive linemen at last year’s NFL Combine. Furthermore, Toney posted 24 bench press reps at 225 pounds and recorded a 39-inch vertical leap.

The former team captain’s character has also impressed thus far into the draft cycle. In five seasons on campus, Toney has earned a well-documented distinction as a mentor to his younger counterparts on the defensive line.

“I feel like the interviews have been great,” Toney said following his Pro Day. “I’m really able to showcase my football knowledge and teams are finally able to get a chance to talk and really hear from me. I’m really a speak-when-spoken-to guy, so this is their first time really interacting with me.”

Between Toney’s skilled, speed-based pass rush repertoire and his highly regarded character, the Nittany Lion veteran seems likely to hear his name called during the upcoming NFL Draft.

While his proven production may warrant a higher selection than most experts are calling for, expect Toney to fall within the fifth-round range as one of the steals of the current draft class.