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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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Aug 1999; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Courtney Brown (86) in action during the 1999 season. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1999; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Courtney Brown (86) in action during the 1999 season. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports /

No. 11 greatest player of Joe Paterno era: Courtney Brown (1996-99)

  • Career sacks: 33 (1st)
  • Tackles for loss: 70
  • 1999 Consensus All-American
  • 1999 Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year

Courtney Brown was dominant as an edge rusher during his time at Penn State. So dominant, that he was drafted first overall in the 2000 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.

Brown, the Nittany Lions’ all-time leader in sacks, never excelled in the NFL. At Penn State, he was a part of great defenses and was at times the most dominant player on the field. A field he shared with LaVar Arrington.

In 1999 Brown had 13.5 sacks and earned the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was also named the MVP of the 1999 Outback Bowl, a Penn State win over Kentucky.

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