Penn State Football: Secondary sending talent across NFL

It’s not just about “Linebacker U” anymore, Penn State football is filling the NFL with quality players from its secondaries.

There’s no shortage of Penn State football talent in the NFL. Known more for its linebackers, the Nittany Lions are actually carving out a niche in pro secondaries now. Since 2015, 10 different defensive backs have been selected or signed to NFL teams. Some of those players became stars, others are progressing into starters and some are on NFL rosters. Regardless, there’s clearly something about PSU defensive backs that pro teams like.

It all stems from a pass defense that ranks near the top of the nation every year. In fact, PSU has held opposing passing games to 216.6 yards or less per game every year since 2014. It starts with headhunting, playmaking safeties in the back end. It started with strong safety Adrian Amos, safety/corner hybrid Jordan Lucas and cornerback Trevor Williams.

All three players were drafted or signed in back-to-back seasons. Amos is by far the highest riser of the group earning a starting job with the Chicago Bears his rookie year and holding it for the last four seasons, including 2018 where he helped the Bears reach the playoffs.

After compiling 274 total tackles, 19 pass defended, three interceptions and three forced fumbles over his four seasons, he signed a four-year, 37 million dollar contract with the Green Bay Packers.

Lucas and Williams became solid contributors and partial starters for their respective franchises, making it three DBs in two years that found spots in the NFL. Lucas started four games for Kansas City in 2018 and racked up 32 tackles and an interception, while Williams has started off and on for three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers to the tune of 110 tackles, 22 pass defended and three interceptions

The 2017 draft didn’t see quite the same success, but Malik Golden found an NFL home for two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s currently a free agent, but he continued the trend of Penn State football secondary players in the NFL.

The next draft and following season saw Penn State take off. Three defensive backs were selected and one was signed after the draft. Marcus Allen (Steelers), Troy Apke and Christian Campbell all were drafted. None of them saw significant time due to injury or a loaded defense, while the undrafted player Grant Haley starred quickly for the New York Giants.

He played in 10 games, started nine and recorded 33 tackles and two passes defended. He’ll look to stay at the starting corner spot in year two.

Last but not least, Amani Oruwariye and Nick Scott were selected in this year’s NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams respectively. Their selections brought the total number of Penn State DBs that came to the NFL in the last four years to 10.

Penn State Defensive Coordinator Brent Pry, safeties coach Tim Banks and corners coach Terry M. Smith have a lot to do with that. They developed that talent into dominant pass defenses since head coach James Franklin took over. Penn State should simply be, “Defense U.”