Penn State Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

In the history of the Penn State football program, there are few players who have had the kind of impact that Ted Kwalick did during his time in Happy Valley. After playing his high school ball at Montour (PA) High School, Kwalick made the short trip to Penn State to continue his career. Few could have expected how good a player he would actually be for the Nittany Lions.

Kwalick played on both sides of the ball for the Nittany Lions, as he was a standout defensive end and tight end. In fact, Kwalick was the program’s first two-time All-American, as he was recognized with the award in both 1967 and 1968.

Kwalick finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting in that 1968 season, the first tight end to ever finish in the top-5 of the voting. He is widely considered the best tight end in the history of the Penn State football program.

In the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers made Kwalick the No. 7 overall selection. He would go on to play for the 49ers until the 1975 season, where he would finish out his playing career with the Oakland Raiders from 1975-77. He was a three-time Pro Bowl player during his time in San Francisco and won a Super Bowl with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI.

For his efforts, Kwalick was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame back in 1989, which was a fitting capper to a college career that will never be forgotten at State College. Kwalick left school with the record for receiving yards (1,343) and touchdowns (10) for a tight end.