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.
Jack Raphael Ham Jr. is a former American football outside linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League from 1971 to 1982. He is considered one of the greatest outside linebackers in the history of the NFL. 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.
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."
Franco Harris was an American football player. He played his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks. In the 1972 NFL Draft he was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round, the 13th selection overall. 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.
Paul Michael Posluszny is an American football middle linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. 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.
Allen Bernard Robinson II is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.
Robinson was drafted in the 2nd round 61st overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 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.
NaVorro Roderick Bowman is an American football inside linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). 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.
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.
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.
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.
The Newcomers
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.
Larry Alphonso Johnson, Jr. is a former American football running back in the National Football League. 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.
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.