Penn State aims to remain 'Linebacker U'

Penn State has long be known for recruiting, training, and producing not only top-notch college linebackers, but NFL-caliber ones as well. Some of the talent that once called Happy Valley home include Jack Ham, Dennis Onkotz, Greg Buttle, Shane Conlan, Andre Collins, Brian Gelzheiser, LaVar Arrington, Brandon Short, and more recently Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor. Ham and Onkontz are in the College Football Hall of Fame, Buttle holds Penn State's single season record for most tackles (165 in 1974), Conlan was a first team All-American twice, Arrington was the 1999 Dick Butkus Award winner, and Short was a four year starter (three at LB). Posluszny is currently Penn State's all-time leader in tackles with 372. He was a 2nd round draft pick in 2007 (34th overall, Buffalo Bills). Posluszny won't hold the career tackles record for long. Connor is currently at 350 tackles and still has five games remaining in his senior season. Barring injury, he will break Posluszny's record. Waiting in the wings of Connor is junior Sean Lee. Lee, like many of the aforementioned players, was impressive enough as a true freshman to warrant game action. He became a starter last year and has helped anchor the defense, along with Connor, this year.


There was a slight lull in the linebacker performance from 2000 through 2003. During those four seasons a linebacker lead Penn State in tackles only once (Gino Capone, 2003). Penn State's record over those four seasons: 22-26 (14-18 in the Big Ten) and only one bowl appearance ('02-'03 season Capital One Bowl). Not to completely point the finger at the linebackers; those teams had little talent anywhere. But when the Nittany Lions have a stud (or two, or three) at LB, they tend to play much better.


Paul Posluszny was the renaissance man. He brought the luster back to 'Linebacker U' and it has continued since he took over for the injured Capone in the fall of 2003. Penn State continues to recruit star high school linebackers, something that bodes well for the program. Connor joined the squad in 2004 and Lee in 2005. Last year they welcomed Navorro Bowman and Bani Gbadyu, ranked the 22nd and 49th best LBs, respectively, by scout.com. Each redshirted last year. The recruiting class of 2007 welcomed the 4th, 7th, and 8th best linebackers (Chris Colasanti, Andrew Dailey, and Nathan Stupar). As of this writing, Penn State has already received verbal commitments from Michael Zordich (7th best LB on scout.com)), Mike Yancich (10th), and Michael Mauti (11th). In addition, Rivals.com and ESPN.com report that the Nittany Lions have a verbal from LB Brandon Beachum (4th best inside LB on Rivals.com). I think it is safe to say that, if these players perform to their perceived potential, Penn State will continue to be known as 'Linebacker U'.

Linebacker U picture from Rivals.com

Stats from gopsusports.com