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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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Unknown date ; Cincinnati, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cleveland Browns running back Billy Lefear (26) in action against Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Mike Reid (74). Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date ; Cincinnati, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cleveland Browns running back Billy Lefear (26) in action against Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Mike Reid (74). Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 13 greatest player of Joe Paterno era: Mike Reid (1966-69)

  • 1969 Consensus All-American
  • 1969 John Outland Trophy
  • 1969 Maxwell Award

It’s not easy to find statistics for an interior defensive lineman from the 1960s in college football, but the people voting on the major awards in college football were blown away by Reid’s 1969 season and so was the NFL. Reid finished fifth in Heisman voting and was drafted 7th overall in the 1970 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Reid is the greatest defensive lineman in Penn State history and won the 1969 Maxwell Award, which is presented to the best player in college football. Reid played five years in the NFL and was an All-Pro twice.

Reid left the NFL to pursue music. He became an acclaimed songwriter and won the 1984 Grammy for Best Country Song for “Stranger in my House” which was recorded by Ronnie Millsap.

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