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The Top Five All-Time Penn State Defensive Backs

By Shane Lunnen

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Nov 21, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; The honor guard wait to take the field prior to the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Michigan defeated Penn State 28-16. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Nov 21, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; The honor guard wait to take the field prior to the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Michigan defeated Penn State 28-16. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /

Neal Smith

Topping the list of the greatest defensive backs is safety Neal Smith.

When Smith arrived on campus in 1966, nobody had ever even heard of him.  He would surely leave his mark on Penn State football.  In 1967, Smith became the first Nittany Lion in a decade to earn a starting spot as a walk-on.  In 1968, Smith tied the single season interception record with eight and he blocked a punt in the Orange Bowl that year to set up Penn State’s game winning touchdown and first ever undefeated season.

In his senior year of 1969, he broke the career interceptions mark just four games into the season and went on to break his own record for interceptions in a single season with 10.  Both the career and single season interception records still stand today.  Smith earned all American honors in 1969.

Even though most fans of today don’t remember him, Smith had an outstanding career for the Nittany Lions.

Next: Number Two Mark Robinson

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