Penn State Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

Keith Dorney played his high school ball at Emmaus (PA) High School. When it came time to decide where to play his college ball, he decided to stay within the state of Pennsylvania. By the time he was done at Penn State, Dorney had become one of the more decorated offensive linemen in school history. He would go on to have quite the NFL career as well.

During his time at Penn State, Dorney became the first offensive lineman in school history to be named an All-American twice. Incredibly, his college career did not start out on the offensive line. Dorney may have made his debut with the Nittany Lions as a tight end, but it was as the team’s center, as well as offensive tackle, where he really made his mark.

In his final two seasons in Happy Valley, Dorney helped to lead his team to a 22-2 record, and his prowess on the football field did not go unnoticed at the national level. Dorney was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005, becoming the 16th former Penn State football player to receive the honor at the time. He is still considered one of the best to ever do it on the offensive line in program history.

Dorney was drafted in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft, as the Detroit Lions made him the 10th overall pick in the entire class. He played for the team from 1979-87, making the Pro Bowl in 1982, serving as team captain from 1983-87. Not bad for a kid that started out as a tight end for the Nittany Lions.