How about most underrated defensive player ever at PSU?
- Thread starter grinagrin
- Start date
Always thought Andre Collins was a stud. Good tackler and good in space.
How about Troy Drayton? I thought he was really good at Penn State, then had about as long an NFL career as any tight end I can remember (outside of Brady I suppose).
Second vote for Gary. Leading tackler on great defensive teams.
I almost did same as you....picked an offensive player. But I do agree he was very good.
Played Safety…..19 career interceptions and I believe three blocked punts.
First team All-American in 1969.
I’ll just give two more David Macklin and Darren Perry. Two of best DBs in my opinion.
Lotta great names throw around in heyah.
I'll throw in Jordan Hill- basically a defensive rock at a time when the whole program really needed solid guys on and off the field.
I'll throw in Jordan Hill- basically a defensive rock at a time when the whole program really needed solid guys on and off the field.
I would say Justin Kurpekis. He was part of that '99 defense when Arrington and Brown got all kinds of attention, but it would not have been nearly as good without him.
Mike Hartenstein, DT that was ABC's defensive player of the year, when there were limited games televised, and before ESPN became the SEC hype machine it is today.....
Neal Smith - all time leader in interceptions with 18 and tied for one year with 10. He was a walk-on and played in an era (66-70) where freshmen did not see the field plus fewer games. He was from Selinsgrove.
Not sure he qualifies for this thread.
"How about most underrated defensive player ever at PSU?"
just saying
Ahhhhhhhh……. I’m an idiot. That said, he would have made a hell of a defensive end!
Great info. Many fitting names mentioned above. Playing in a team concept that doesn't push individuals leads to numerous good choices. Of all the players I've watched with a criteria of production, performance, value to their team and being less noticed/promoted - Randy Sidler would be my choice. Wish he was a year or two younger to play on the 1978 team, might have made the difference. He took over portions of games. Great discussion & many names from past glory.
Rogers Alexander is my 2nd choice.
Little known fact, his nickname in high school was Bozo. He had a big red afro in those days.
Austin Johnson was a rock in the middle during some of our toughest sanction years and is still making dough in the nfl. Have to consider him as well.
Tyoka Jackson made big plays when needed.
Just because he was from my hometown and a family friend growing up. Starting middle LB on '82 national championship team.
Dave Paffenroth
Guy was certifiable nuts at times, some of his early highlights on kick coverage are legendary. He would blow people up. Nobody messed with Dave. Spent a good amount of time in Joe's doghouse due his propensity to get in fights around campus.
Dave Paffenroth
Guy was certifiable nuts at times, some of his early highlights on kick coverage are legendary. He would blow people up. Nobody messed with Dave. Spent a good amount of time in Joe's doghouse due his propensity to get in fights around campus.
