Jeff Hartings was drafted No. 23 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1996 NFL Draft out of Penn State. 162 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 70 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #23
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 1996
- NFL games
- 162
- Years as starter
- 11
- Career AV
- 706th at Penn State
- Pro Bowls
- 2
- All-Pro
- 1
The pick
How Jeff Hartings came off the board in 1996.
- Position
- Center C
- College
-
Penn State
Big Ten at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Offense
NFL career
162 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 70 career approximate value
- Games played
- 162
- Seasons as a starter
- 11
- Career approximate value
- 706th among Penn State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 2434% of career value
- Final season
- 200610 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
Around pick 23
Who came off the board on either side of Jeff Hartings.
Boston College
North Carolina
Mississippi State · 3× Pro Bowl
Texas A&M-Kingsville · 1× Pro Bowl
Penn State in the 1996 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Penn State
#52
Bobby Engram
WR · CHI
Penn State
#74
Terry Killens
LB · TEN
Penn State
#92
Jon Witman
RB · PIT
Penn State
#115
Brian Milne
RB · IND
Penn State
#191
Keith Conlin
T · IND
Penn State
#198
Stephen Pitts
RB · SF
Penn State
#208
Marco Rivera
G · GB
Penn State · 3× Pro Bowl
#218
Mike Archie
RB · TEN
Penn State
Other C picks from Penn State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Jeff Hartings in the 1996 NFL Draft
Jeff Hartings is a Center out of Penn State selected No. 23 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1996 NFL Draft. 162 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 70 career approximate value Penn State has produced 248 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Jeff Hartings drafted?
Jeff Hartings was selected No. 23 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1996 NFL Draft (Rd 1). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1996/jeff-hartings.
What college did Jeff Hartings play for?
Jeff Hartings played college football at Penn State in the Big Ten. See every Penn State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/penn-state-nittany-lions.
How did Jeff Hartings's NFL career turn out?
162 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 70 career approximate value Accolades: 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1996/jeff-hartings.