Among the many colleges that recruited Paul Posluszny in high school, “Linebacker University” appealed to him the most.
Penn State seemed like a perfect fit for Posluszny, a standout prep linebacker. The school’s tradition and excellence, its renowned leader, and its famed graduates — such as Hall of Famer Jack Ham, LaVar Arrington of the Washington Redskins and Brandon Short of the New York Giants — all pulled at the young Aliquippa, Pa., native.
But upon arriving, Posluszny realized that this renowned mecca of linebackers had only had one winning season since 2000.
Yet the things that influenced Posluszny to come to Penn State are the keys that keep him motivated today.
“When I chose to come to Penn State, I wanted to become part of the great tradition of linebackers here,” he said.
Posluszny entrenched himself even further into that tradition when he donned jersey No. 31 before the start of this season.
The legacy of the number goes back many years in Penn State lore, and was worn by many of the Nittany Lions’ linebacking greats, such as Shane Conlan, Andre Collins and Mac Morrison.
“I was really honored when one of our head equipment guys suggested that I should wear that number,” Posluszny said. “It’s a hard legacy to live up to because of the guys that have worn that number.
“Hopefully I can be one of those next guys.”
If this season is any indication, Posluszny is certainly well on his way there. The sophomore leads Penn State in tackles with 66, is second in tackles for a loss with 7.5, and is third in sacks with one.
But for Posluszny, academics also have been a very high priority. He has a 3.68 cumulative GPA, and compiled a 3.79 GPA in the 2004 spring semester.
“My motivation in the classroom definitely comes from my parents,” Posluszny said. “I know to keep them happy I have to get good grades.”
But with classes in the morning and practices in the afternoons along with games on the weekends, there can be a tendency to brush homework and studying to the side.
“It’s tough during the season because we have to balance so much,” Posluszny said. “But the good thing is we have great academic advisors, and we’re able to get great tutors. They really help us out a lot with our schoolwork.”
But Posluszny’s personal success on the field and in the classroom hasn’t come without a price. Posluszny has been bothered by shoulder stingers this season and has been periodically sidelined.
In the second half of the game against Iowa two weeks ago, Posluszny vehemently lobbied his coaches to put him back on the field after he came off with another stinger.
“If I get (a stinger) during the game, they just try to keep a watchful eye on me and make sure that I’m okay,” Posluszny said. “But a lot of times I think I’m fine. I don’t really think it’s a real big deal. Of course just like anyone else, I want to be out there with the rest of the guys playing football.”
In addition to injuries, Posluszny also has had to deal with the Nittany Lions’ lack of success again this season. The team has dropped five straight, and the fans in State College, Pa., have begun to turn against the players and coaches.
Two weeks ago in a 6-4 loss against Iowa, boos rained down on the field from the bleachers in Beaver Stadium. The following week, quarterback Zack Mills reported that his e-mail inbox had been stuffed with letters telling him he should quit.
“A lot of it we just try to ignore because we know we’re working hard,” Posluszny said. “Right now things aren’t really going our way, but we’re going to keep trying, and we’re going to finish out the season strong.”
Reach Zach Silka at [email protected].
