Top 10 Best Penn State Football Players of All Time

This is a collection of some of the greatest Penn State football players to ever take the field.

The Top Ten
  1. Jack Ham

    Jack Raphael Ham Jr. is a former American football outside linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League from 1971 to 1982. He was known for his exceptional intelligence and speed on the field. Ham was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and is widely... read more

    Jack Ham is a former NFL Outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who played for the Penn State Nittany Lions in college. In his senior year at Penn State, he recorded four interceptions, 91 tackles, and was named an All-American.

    Outstanding linebacker at PSU and the Steelers. Great person as well.

  2. LaVar Arrington

    LaVar Arrington is a former linebacker who played for the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in the NFL. A play that LaVar is famous for occurred at Penn State, when he guessed the snap count against the Illinois Fighting Illini and completely jumped over the offensive line. He instantly tackled the runner in the backfield. The play is known as "The LaVar Leap."

  3. Franco Harris

    Franco Harris was an American football player best known for his time as a running back in the NFL. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft as the 13th overall pick. Harris played the majority of his career with the Steelers and briefly joined the Seattle Seahawks... read more

    Franco Harris is a former fullback in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks. He is famously known for the play called the Immaculate Reception. This play involved a deflected pass from Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw that bounced off Steelers running back John Fuqua and Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum. Once the ball was deflected, Franco Harris caught it and ran it down the field for a Steelers touchdown. The touchdown won the game for the Steelers, and Three Rivers Stadium erupted in celebration.

  4. Paul Posluszny

    Paul Michael Posluszny (born October 10, 1984) is a former American football middle linebacker. He played for the Buffalo Bills from 2007 to 2010 and for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2011 to 2017. Posluszny was selected to the Pro Bowl twice and had a distinguished college career at Penn State. He was... read more

    Paul Posluszny is a Linebacker in the NFL, who played for the Buffalo Bills and now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his freshman season with Penn State in 2003, he recorded 36 tackles, a Pick Six, and a fumble recovery.

  5. Allen Robinson

    Allen Bernard Robinson II is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted 61st overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

    Allen Robinson is a Wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL. His clutch and acrobatic catches at Penn State truly made him a fan favorite.

  6. NaVorro Bowman

    NaVorro Roderick Bowman is a former American football inside linebacker who played predominantly for the San Francisco 49ers. He was a third‑round pick in 2010 out of Penn State. He later transitioned into coaching, working as linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers.

    NaVorro Bowman is an Inside linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. As a Penn State player, Bowman ensured that the Nittany Lions remained in the top ten. He led the team in tackles, solos, and assisted tackles. Additionally, he recovered a fumble, grabbed an interception, had five pass breakups, and forced two fumbles.

  7. John Cappelletti

    John Cappelletti is a former running back and fullback for the Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers in the NFL. He is the only Penn State player to win a Heisman Trophy because of his legacy on the field. In 1973, Cappelletti won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, UPI College Football Player of the Year, Walter Camp Award, Chic Harley Award, and All-American honors.

  8. Saquon Barkley

    Saquon Rasul Quevis Barkley (born February 9, 1997) is an American professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL)... read more

  9. Steve Wisniewski

    Steve Wisniewski is a former Offensive guard who played for the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders in the NFL. As a Penn State player, he led the Nittany Lions to a national championship in 1986 and played in both the Hula Bowl and the Japan Bowl.

  10. Kerry Collins

    Kerry Collins is a former player for the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts in the NFL. As a Penn State player, he was a dominant athlete who obtained the Maxwell Award and the Davey O'Brien Award. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting in that same year.

  11. The Newcomers
  12. ?

    Ralph Baker

  13. ?

    Chuck Fusina

    He was the cover boy on Sports Illustrated in 1978. His outstanding play earned him the Maxwell Award and he came within one yard of securing a national title for Penn State. It's Joey's world.

  14. The Contenders
  15. Larry Johnson

    Larry Alphonso Johnson Jr. is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Johnson also played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, and Miami Dolphins during his career... read more

    Larry Johnson is a former Running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, and Miami Dolphins in the NFL. As a Penn State player, he rushed for more than 2,000 yards in a season, setting a new NCAA record. This record was broken in 2014 by Wisconsin Badgers Running back Melvin Gordon.

  16. Matt Millen

  17. Lenny Moore

  18. Sean Lee

    Sean Lee is among the best tacklers in the NFL and has amazing awareness. He is the captain of the Dallas Cowboys and has been the lead tackler in every season he has been healthy.

  19. Mike Reid

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