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Top 10 Greatest Penn State Football Players Of All Time
In this ranking, we will analyze the top 10 greatest players in Penn State football history. We will look at career statistics, legacy, and impact during their time with the Nittany Lions.
No. 10: Ki-Jana Carter, RB
After taking just 42 carries during his first season, Ki-Jana Carter saw the lead role during his final two campaigns. In his second season, Carter led the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.6). He ran for 1,026 yards and scored seven touchdowns. However, during his final season (1994) Carter enjoyed one of the best seasons by a Penn State running back as he led the Big Ten with 1,539 rushing yards and 23 rushing scores. He was named All-American this season and finished second in Heisman voting.
No. 9: Bobby Engram, WR
Bobby Engram was a consistent pass-catcher during his time at Penn State. In his second season, he led the conference with 13 receiving touchdowns. This total still stands as a school record. During his final two seasons, Engram led the Big Ten in receptions (52 and 63). During these two campaigns, he tallied at least 1,000 receiving yards and scored 19 total touchdowns. He won the inaugural 1994 Fred Bilentnikoff Award.
No. 8: Courtney Brown, DL
Courtney Brown holds the school record for sacks (33). He was a two-time First-team All-Big Ten and tallied an incredible 77 tackles for a loss. During his final campaign, Brown tallied a school-high 29 tackles for a loss with 13.5 sacks and captured the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. He was taken first overall by the Cleveland Browns but did not enjoy similar success at the professional level.
No. 7: John Cappelletti, RB
John Cappelletti is the only Nittany Lion to win the Heisman Trophy. In 1973, Cappelletti ran for a career-high 1,522 yards with 17 rushing scores. During this season, Penn State held a perfect 12-0 record. Cappelletti averaged 138.9 yards per game and averaged 5.4 yards per touch. In addition to winning the Heisman Trophy this season, he was also named Consensus All-American and was given the Maxwell Award.
No. 6: Larry Johnson, RB
After averaging just over four yards per carry during his first three collegiate seasons, Larry Johnson enjoyed an incredible senior season. In 2002, Johnson put his name in the school record books as he ran for 2,087 yards and found the back of the end zone 23 times. He averaged an impressive 7.7 yards per carry with 160.5 yards per game.
No. 5: Paul Posluszny, LB
Paul Posluszny tallied the second-most combined tackles in school history. He tallied at least 116 in each of his final two seasons. During this stretch, Posluszny was named All-American in each season and won the Chuck Bednarik Award. In 2005, he also won the Dick Butkus Award.
No. 4: Dan Connor, LB
Dan Connor holds the all-time school record for tackles. After appearing in just nine games in each of his first two seasons in college, Connor became a full-time player during his final two. During 2006 and 2007, Connor tallied at least 113 tackles in each season with a high of 145 during his senior season. Connor was named All-American in his senior season and won the Chuck Bednarik Award.
No. 3: LaVar Arrington, LB
LaVar Arrington won several accolades during his time at Penn State. In 1999, Arringeon was given the Chuck Bednarik Award(first in school history), Dick Butkus Award, and was a unanimous All-American. Arrington was named first-team All-American the previous season and was named Co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. His impressive resume pushed him up draft boards as he was taken second overall by Washington in the 1999 NFL Draft.
No. 2: Jack Ham, LB
Considered one of the best linebackers in football history, Jack Ham began his career as a Nittany Lion. At Penn State, Ham played a critical role in leading Penn State to two undefeated seasons and an overall 29-3 record. He was named All-American (consensus) during the 1970 season and tallied over 200 total tackles. He was later named to the College Football Hall of Fame and went on to win four Super Bowls as a Pittsburgh Steeler.
No. 1: Saquon Barkley, RB
Saquon Barkley takes the top spot on this list. During his three seasons at Penn State, Barkley ran for at least 1,000 yards in each campaign and totaled 3,843 yards. During his final two seasons, he tallied 18 rushing scores in each campaign. Both of these totals led the Big Ten. He posted a stellar 6.5 yards per touch and was eventually drafted with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
