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Penn State Football: 15 greatest PSU players of Joe Paterno era

By Josh Yourish

Jan 1, 1983; New Orleans, LA, USA, FILE PHOTO; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno talks to Todd Blackledge (14) against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 1983 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 1983; New Orleans, LA, USA, FILE PHOTO; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno talks to Todd Blackledge (14) against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 1983 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Pro Football Hall of Fame and former Penn State football linebacker Jack Ham exits the field after being honored by the university during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Pro Football Hall of Fame and former Penn State football linebacker Jack Ham exits the field after being honored by the university during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

No. 2 greatest player of Joe Paterno era: Jack Ham (1968-70)

In 1967, Joe Paterno’s second season, Jack Ham was the last player chosen for a scholarship. That decision certainly paid off. In Ham’s three seasons on the field, 1968, 1969, and 1970, Penn State went 11-0, 11-0, and 9-4.

1970 was Ham’s best statistical season with 91 tackles and four interceptions which earned him honors as a Consensus All-American. Ham was a team captain that season.

Ham is better known for his NFL accomplishments, winning four Super Bowls across 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a six-time NFL All-Pro.

He takes the No. 2 spot on this list because he is the only player in Penn State history to be inducted into both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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