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

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Dec 7, 1968; State College, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno during the 1968 season against the Syracuse Orangemen at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 12 greatest player of Joe Paterno era: Dennis Onkotz (1966-69)

1968 and 1969 Consensus All-American
Career interceptions: 11 (3 TDs)
Career punt return average: 13.2 yards

In a way, Dennis Onkotz is the godfather of Linebacker U at Penn State. He was a two-time All-American linebacker and played on the back-to-back 11-0 teams in 1968 and 1969 that won consecutive Orange Bowls.

Onkotz led the team in tackles both seasons with 71 in ’68 and 97 in ’69. He was also a ball-hawk over the middle of the field with 11 picks. The most remarkable part of his career was as a punt returner.

There aren’t many linebackers returning punts, but Onkotz returned 47 in his career for an average of 13.2 yards.

Onkotz played one year in the NFL for the Jets, but his career was ended by injury.

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