Penn State Football: 30 greatest players of all-time

A product of South River, New Jersey, Kenny Jackson went from a four-sport star in high school to one of the best wide receivers in Penn State history. During his time in Happy Valley, Jackson set nearly 30 receiving records, finishing up his college career as an absolute legend at Penn State. He played a huge role on the 1982 team that would bring home the program’s first National Championship.

The first wide receiver in Penn State history to be named an All-American, Jackson thrived during his time with the Nittany Lions, despite the fact that they were mostly a running team. Jackson was actually a two-time All-American at the school, earning  honors in both 1982 and 1983. This led to him being a first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1984.

In fact, Jackson is the highest-drafted wideout in Penn State history, as the Eagles selected him fourth overall in that 1984 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL up until 1991, and in 1993, he returned to the school as Penn State’s wide receiver coach. Jackson held that post up until the 2000 season.

Currently, Jackson is a sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network, where he gets to cover the Nittany Lions all season long. For Penn State fans, he has the distinction of not only being a legendary player, but having the most legendary catch in the Penn State-Pitt rivalry, as his haul in 1981 against then-No. 1 Pitt is one that lives on in program history.