Penn State History: Iron Sharpens Iron Linebacker U & Tight Ends

NOTE: This is the latest in a continuing series of offseason essays highlighting Penn State football's history of unique student-athletes. It is in response to Coach Matt Campbell and his staff reconnecting with the Penn State football alumni. The first essay covered the great linemen at Penn State, and the next essay covered family legacies at Penn State. These essays are designed to highlight history beyond the current generation and include great players and stories that delve deeper into a proud legacy of excellence.

When it comes to talking about great Penn State football players Penn State is Linebacker U. And this essay will discuss that. But what we will also discuss is the history of incredible tight ends.

Linebackers and Tight Ends square off on blocks and in the pass game. And they do that every day in practice. The Book of Proverbs says “iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another"; linebackers sharpen tight ends and vice versa.

Let’s start with the tight ends. Tyler Warren, Mike Gesicki, and Pat Freiermuth headline the current generation of Penn State tight end history. But the purpose of these essays is to rediscover some that maybe we’ve not thought about in a long time.

Going back more than sixty years is tricky when discussing tight ends. Before then guys played both sides of the ball and were called “ends”. Once the game evolved to flank receivers outside, the terms wide receivers and tight ends emerged.

The last All-American “End” for Penn State was Bob Mitinger in 1961. Bob was drafted by both the NFL and AFL before playing for the San Diego Chargers. He became a lawyer before settling in State College. He was a no-nonsense attorney with a big personality.

Six years later Ted Kwalick ushered in an era where tight ends became dual threats as blockers and in the downfield pass game. One coach said of Kwalick “When God designed the ultimate tight end it was Ted Kwalick.” A two-time All-American in 1967 and 1968 he finished 4^th in the Heisman Trophy voting, the highest finish for a tight end in history.

He was the 7^th overall pick in the NFL draft, and his 9-year All-Pro NFL career included multiple Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl Championship with the Raiders. In 1999 Sports Illustrated named him to the College Football All-Century team and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Based on his accolades and accomplishments he remains perhaps the greatest tight end in school history.

But the Penn State tight end story does not end there. In1973 Dan Natale was a 2^nd-team All-American followed by another 2^nd-Team All-American in 1977 Mickey Shuler.

After being drafted in the 2^nd round, Mickey Shuler had a tremendous 14-year NFL career earning All-Pro honors and getting selected to the Pro Bowl. His 12 years with the New York Jets earned him a place on the Jets All-Time Dream team.

As mentioned in last week’s essay, Shuler’s son Mickey followed in his footsteps as a tight end before a multi-year NFL career. Mickey’s teammate Andrew Quarless was drafted the same year (2010) before his a seven-year NFL career.

Tight end teammates getting drafted is not uncommon at Penn State. In the early 1990s an unlikely pair of tight ends converged at Penn State. Troy Drayton was a big walk-on wide receiver from Steelton, PA. Two years later he was joined by the nation’s #1 tight end recruit Kyle Brady from Cedar Cliff HS in Camp Hill, PA. They joined a tight end room that already included Al Golden who would go on the become a college head coach and widely respected defensive coordinator.

Troy Drayton with the fresh cut

Joe Paterno convinced Troy to bulk up and move to tight end. In 1992 he became a 2^nd-team All-American. After being drafted in the 2^nd round he was an outstanding player for the Rams, Dolphins and Chiefs across eight years.

Two years later Kyle Brady was a 1^st-team All-American on the undefeated 1994 team. He was chosen 8^th overall by the Jets and had a 13-year NFL career. A downfield threat as a receiver, Brady is also considered one of college football’s most dominant blocking tight ends ever.

A few years later. Tony Stewart (Allentown Central Catholic) and John Gilmore (Wilson HS) came to Penn State camp together and signed in the same recruiting class. Stewart was drafted in the 2003 draft and had an 8-year NFL career. One year later Gilmore was drafted on his way to a 10-year NFL run.

Those two started an NFL tight end cluster. In the 2004 draft Matt Kranchick made his way from walk-on to NFL draft pick to a multi-year NFL career. He was joined in the draft by Sean McHugh who played some tight but mostly fullback at Penn State. His 6-5 255 frame made him a hybrid tight end, h-back and fullback in the NFL. His 6-year career included starting in the Steelers’ Super Bowl win over Arizona. Another Tight End hybrid on that same team was John Bronson who came to Penn State from Seattle. At PSU he started games at both defensive end and tight end before playing tight end in the NFL.

All told the 2000-2001 teams at Penn State featured five future NFL tight ends.

In the early 1980s Vyto Kab and Mike McCloskey battled for the starting spot. In 1982 Vyto Kab was drafted in the 3^rd round. McCloskey went in the 4^th round in 1983. They played a combined 12 years in the league.

Mike McCloskey was involved in the most talked about play in what may be Beaver Stadium’s greatest game. In September 1982 #8 Penn State hosted #2 Nebraska. The Huskers took the lead with 1:18 to go. Late in the game Blackledge hit McCloskey along the sideline for a 1^st and goal. McCloskey dragged his trailing foot as he made the catch, one that Husker fans are convinced was out of bounds.

McCloskey remains a villain in Nebraska, but replay would've stated that the call would stand.

On the very next play another Penn State tight end left a mark on his Penn State career. Kirk Bowman was a converted offensive tackle who had earned the nickname “Stone Hands” and not because he had a feathery touch catching passes. This unlikely hero had two career catches, both for TDs against Nebraska in 1982. One was the game-winning touchdown pass from Todd Blackledge just inches about the grass to seal the 27-24 win with 0:04 on the clock.

At Penn State unlikely heroes aren’t uncommon. In 2005, Penn State was coming off two subpar seasons. In week 4 Penn State was at Northwestern and trailed late in the game. Facing a do-or-die 4^th and 15, tight end Isaac Smolko told QB Michael Robinson that he would be open and that he would make the catch.

Smolko curled over and behind the linebacker and Robinson perfectly placed the completion to Smolko. The first down saved the game, the season and triggered a Big Ten title. Smolko would go on to three years in the NFL.

The best way to transition from the early generations of Penn State tight ends is with Jesse James. Jesse committed to Penn State in 2011 and when the coaching change occurred that year, he asked Coach Tom Bradley if he should re-open his recruiting instead of enrolling in January 2012. Tom Bradley told him to stick with Penn State, a decision that had a big impact on his life. He went on to a 6-year NFL career and sparked the current run of Penn State tight ends.

While all that NFL talent at tight end was on offense, on defense the legend of Linebacker U was building. But where did that name come from?

In the early 1970s Penn State had a run of eight 1^st-team All-American linebackers in a 9-year stretch. During that same stretch TWENTY Penn State linebackers were drafted by the NFL in 10 years.

In the late 1960s USC created the moniker Tailback U. Penn State Sports Information Director John Morris saw the USC tailback tradition and looked at Penn State’s linebacker run. He thought it was worthy of the same type of recognition.

But one of John Morris’ rules was if you borrow an idea like Tailback U/Linebacker U you have to make it so big that it becomes yours. He had that same mentality when promoting John Cappelletti for the Heisman in 1973 and when Penn State cheerleaders wanted to start the "We Are" cheer in the 1970s. Penn State certainly went big on both "We Are" and Linebacker U.

Five decades later, Linebacker U remains a part of Penn State lore because it did become so big. Morris pushed it out and Penn State Linebackers got the job done on the field. Everywhere you looked in the NFL you saw graduates of Linebacker U.

Five times in the 1970s three or more Penn State guys were getting drafted to play LB in the same draft class. In the 1970s alone, there were 10 Penn State linebackers who played 7 years or more in the NFL.

Headlining that group, of course, was Jack Ham. An All-American in 1970, Ham is one of just two Penn State players elected to both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a starter on two undefeated Penn State teams in 1968 and 1969 before being drafted by the Steelers. In his 11-year career he won 4 Super Bowls and was selected to the Pro Bowl 8 times.

Most impressive was his 6 selections as a 1^st-Team All-Pro--a Penn State record. He is followed on the Penn State All-Pro list by running back Lenny Moore (5x), Guard Steve Wisniewski (5x) and Linebacker NaVorro Bowman (4x) –more on him later.

Given his key role on two undefeated Penn State teams and an NFL career that is unsurpassed by any other Penn State linebacker, one can rightly say that Ham could be called the best LB in the history of Linebacker U.

In 1970, Ham was part of a run of 1^st-team All-American Penn State linebackers that started in 1968. Dennis Onkotz was named 2^nd-team All-American in 1967 and 1^st-team in 1968 and 1969. Onkotz was athletic enough to return punts notching two TD returns and a career average of 13.2 yards per return which was 5^th best all-time. Following Onkotz and Ham as 1^st-team All-Americans were Charlie Zapiec (1971), John Skorupan (1972), Ed O’Neil (1973), Greg Buttle (1975) and Kurt Allerman (1976).

There were Penn State linebackers all over the NFL in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1974 linebacker Ed O’Neil (not the actor) was taken in the 1^st round with the 8^th overall pick by Detroit. He played 7 years in the NFL.

In that same 1974 draft, Doug Allen was picked in the 2^nd round. After his NFL career he led the NFLPA and later became executive director of the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG). Pretty heady stuff for a post-NFL career but emblematic of the things Penn State players accomplished on and off the field.

In the 1970s Altoona native John Ebersole was known for his toughness and played 8 years before returning home to become a long-time Blair County Commissioner. In the 1970s Jim Laslavic played 10 years, Kurt Allerman played 9 years, Greg Buttle played 9 years, Ron Crosby played 7 years and John Skorupan played 8 years. Buttle was Penn State’s all-time leading tackler, a record that stood for roughly three decades. As the decade turned towards the 1980s, Rich Milot started his career in 1979 and played 8 years.

In the 1980 NFL draft another NFL linebacking great from Penn State emerged after being converted from his college defensive tackle position. Matt Millen was drafted in 1980 and spent 12 years playing linebacker in the league and winning 4 Super Bowls.

In that same draft class Penn State LB Lance Mehl was chosen by the Jets and enjoyed a productive 8-year career that included selection to the Pro Bowl. He was part of a 15-year run where at least one Penn State linebacker was drafted. Twenty-nine Penn State LBs were picked in that 15-year stretch that included Chet Parlevecchio and Rich D’Amico in 1982. Walker Lee Ashley (8 years) and Scott Radecic (12 years) also enjoyed long NFL careers.

Linebacker U saw a re-birth of sorts after almost a decade without a 1st-team All-American with the arrival of a skinny, undersized 190-pound guy from western New York named Shane Conlan. He redshirted in 1982 but by the end of the 1983 season, Penn State fans were starting to ask "Who is this #31 guy?"

In 1985 he helped lead Penn State to an 11-0 regular season record and was named a 1^st-team All-American. And despite a loss in the Orange Bowl to Oklahoma for the National Championship, he was all over the field in a dominant performance.

That class of draft-eligible seniors all returned for the 1986 season. He was named 1^st-team All-American and the team was 11-0 once again before a National Title matchup against #1 and heavily favored Miami.

That linebacking corps of Shane Conlan, Trey Bauer, Pete Giftopolous and Donnie Graham were part of one of the best big-game defensive performances in college football history. Bauer set a tone of confidence that was as infectious as his New Jersey attitude.

Conlan’s first interception looked like a pick-six, but he tripped from a knee he’d injured in the game. When the team doctor asked to take a better look, Conlan told them to “Tape it up and get me back in the game.” Editor’s note: That quote is paraphrasing what was said in a way that is family-friendly.

Conlan’s 2^nd interception set up the go-ahead score. Then, leading 14-10 and with their backs against the wall on 4^th and goal, linebacker Pete Giftopoulos intercepted the pass, sealed the win and made a play that lives forever in the minds of all who witnessed it.

Shane was drafted in 1987 draft with the 8^th overall pick. He added to the lore of Linebacker U talent across a 9-year NFL career that included being the Defensive Rookie of the Year, making the Pro Bowl and playing in multiple Super Bowls. Like Jack Ham, his college success and his success in the NFL puts him in the top echelon of Linebacker U as perhaps the best ever.

He led another parade of PSU LB draft picks. 1989 1^st-team All-American Andre Collins went on to a 10-year NFL career and is now the executive director of the Professional Athlete Foundation at the NFLPA. Mark D’Onofrio was an intense hard-nosed linebacker with a unique pre-game ritual. If "Da-Noff" threw up, you knew he was ready to go. After being 2^nd round pick his career was cut short by injury.

Keith “Go-Go” Goganious, Rick McKenzie, Andre Powell, Reggie Givens and Eric Ravotti were teammates that all went on the multi-year NFL careers between 1992 and 1996. Navy transfer Rob Holmberg was drafted in the 7^th round in 1994 and played 8 years.

1996 draft pick Terry Killens played in the Super Bowl during his 7-year NFL career. Years later he became an NFL official. In 2024 he was selected as part of the officiating crew for Super Bowl LVIII becoming the first person to play in and officiate a Super Bowl game.

Another high point in the Linebacker U history came in 1998 and 1999. That linebacking crew of Pittsburgh-area guys Brandon Short and Lavar Arrington was joined by Mac Morrison from a suburb of Seattle.

Lavar would become an All-American in 1998 and 1999 and win the Butkus Award. Short would join Arrington as an All-American in 1999. In any other year, Morrison’s athleticism and play would've earned him post-season honors.

What many remember about that 1999 season was the disappointment of falling short of the ultimate goal. But that does not lessen the strength of that linebacking corps.

In the 2000 draft Arrington was picked 2^nd overall. He went on to a 7-year NFL career that included 3 Pro Bowl selections. Short was taken in the 4^th round and he too had a 7-year NFL career, one that included a trip to the Super Bowl. A post-season neck injury cost Morrison a shot at an NFL career.

While at Penn State, Arrington was known for making eye-popping athletic plays from blocking kicks to leaping over the offensive line to make plays, Arrington is among the best athletes ever to play linebacker at Penn State.

In the early 2000s Linebacker U saw a noticeable drop in on-field production. Some of that had to do with bad luck.

Linebacker Deryck Toles (Warren, OH) was an explosive player who hit with incredible force. A rare enzyme disorder limited the number of plays he could play in a game, but he made his presence known. After the NFL he returned home to found “Inspiring Minds” an after-school and life-mentoring program. Toles lifts the horizons of young men and women to see goals they never thought possible. His program has expanded to seven chapters in multiple states and includes education programs, college trips and even trips to Ghana and South Africa.

During that same stretch a knee injury damaged the career of Cameron Wake (he went by the name Derek at Penn State). A highly touted player from DeMatha High school, he finished up after the 2004 season. He found his road to the NFL after a few years north of the border in the CFL. By 2009 he made the Miami Dolphins beginning an 11-year NFL career where he became one of the NFL's most dominant pass rushers. He made 5 Pro Bowls and was selected 1^st-team All-Pro.

Then in 2003 a young man from Western PA named Paul Posluszny arrived to start a rebirth of linebacker U.

In 2005 he was a 1^st-team All-American on the Big Ten title team that went 11-1 and finished #3 in the country. He won the Butkus Award (Nation’s best LB) and the Bednarik Award (nation’s best defensive player). In 2006 he repeated as both an All-American and the Bednarik Award winner. He would go on to a Pro Bowl caliber NFL career that lasted 11 years.

His leadership on and off the field set a national standard that drew a run of linebacking talent to Penn State that was among the best of any era in school history.

Posluszny was followed as an All-American and Bednarik Award winner by teammate Dan Connor in 2007 (giving PSU LBs 3 straight Bednariks). Dan was an intense player who racked up awards, hardware and a PSU record 419 tackles. He is now the linebacker coach at Penn State where he has a hand in forging future generations of Linebacker U.

The 2006 Linebacking corps was among the best in Penn State history. Tim Shaw moved to play the hybrid LB/DE position to make room alongside Posluszny and Connor for a young new talent from Western PA named Sean Lee. Like Shane Conlan, Sean was an undersized guy in high school, but he shared many of the same qualities that drove Shane.

The unselfish Tim Shaw helped open the door for Sean. When asked about moving positions he replied “To get Sean on the field? Of course.” Tim went on to a 6-year NFL career before being diagnosed with ALS disease. It is a fight he continues to battle with the same courage, smarts and toughness he had at Penn State and in the NFL.

Tim’s selfless decision to make room for Sean Lee created a 4-lineacker lineup that went on to play a combined 34 years in the NFL. While those guys were on the field they were backed up by a walk-on from Penns Valley named Josh Hull who become a starter before his 4-year NFL career and NaVorro Bowman who went on to an 8-year NFL career.

Sean Lee was intense, smart and had a way of recognizing plays just before they developed. In the 2008 preseason, Lee hurt his knee, forcing him to redshirt the 2008 season. After the 2009 season he was drafted in the 2^nd round by Dallas and went on to play 11 years. He was named 1^st team All-Pro and to multiple Pro Bowls.

His teammate on that 2009 defense was NaVorro Bowman. If you’re listing the best LBs of all-time at LBU, the lesser-known Bowman should be in that conversation.

During his redshirt season as a scout team player, he made a lot of plays against the starting offense in practice. When asked how he knew what was coming, invariably he’d respond by telling us that a linemen’s stance was tipping off the play, or that he could see a running back leaning towards the play. That attention to detail alerted us that he had something special.

He was a starter on the 2008 Big Ten title team. He was drafted in the 3^rd round by San Francisco in 2010. He played in the Super Bowl and was selected to multiple Pro Bowls. He was also selected 1^st-team All-Pro an incredible 4x (4^th-best among all players in PSU history) and has been placed on the NFL Hall of Fame Ballot.

That linebacker era attracted guys like Gerald Hodges (6 years in the NFL), Nate Stupar (7 years), and Michael Mauti (5 years).

As noted in last week’s essay, Mauti was part of a Penn State legacy family and was critical in helping hold the 2012 team together. He was named a 1^st-team All-American that year.

In the last decade or so, the nature of the linebacker position has evolved. Of late, some of the better defenders at Penn State and around the country have opted to play the hybrid “Edge” position which is mostly defensive end and part linebacker. You know the guys in the NFL now for Penn State that have made that move --Micah Parsons, Abdul Carter. The “edge” position is not new. On the great 1986 National Championship defense, Donnie Graham played that spot.

But as the game evolves, what remains at Penn State has been the consistency of toughness at the tight end and linebacker position. And with the new coaching staff a commitment endures to building teams of men from rosters of young players.

Tuesday morning at Penn State’s practice I ran into former fullback/tight end Sean McHugh. While he was at Penn State his mother Jeannie was diagnosed with cancer. In 2002 she lost her battle.

But one of the memorable moments of my career at Penn State occurred standing outside the church in Chagrin Falls, OH. It was a cold winter day; there was snow on the ground and a light but bitter breeze. Then several Fullington buses pulled up. And one-by-one Sean’s teammates filed out in suits and ties to be there for Sean and his family. They were not required to be there; they chose to be there.

For those who were there, that image remains in our minds, an image that is a statement of what it means to be part of something that transcends us as individuals, to be part of a true team. Playing tight end or linebacker at Penn State means being part of a legacy built before you and one that will last long after you. But it means you have a responsibility to add to that legacy.