Penn State football has a history of underdogs earning their way to the top, representing the work ethic and grit the Nittany Lions aim to embody.
Not every star player in blue and white history was the top prospect — and not every star even started their collegiate career on a roster. They earned their way onto the field as what Penn State refers to as "run-ons" (or walk-ons), endured the hardships of not being a scholarship player, spent time as backups and third-string guys on game days, yet persisted and turned out to be saving graces for the Nittany Lions.
Beaver Stadium has seen quite a few walk-ons make a name for themselves, but these five former Penn Staters stand out as some of the greatest.
Matt McGloin isn't just one of the greatest walk-ons in Penn State history, but he's one of the best in NCAA Division I football.
After seeing barely any game time as a true freshman in 2009, McGloin was slated for a similar sophomore season as the Nittany Lions' third-string quarterback. However, injury and illness struck the quarterback room and McGloin was put on the spot to lead Penn State to victory. That season, he gave former head coach Joe Paterno his 400th career win and earned his role as a starter.
In 2012 as a senior, McGloin led the Big Ten in completions (270), attempts (446), passing yards (3,271), passing touchdowns (24), and yards per game (272.6). He set a single-season record for passing yards as well for the program, and his final collegiate season resulted in him earning the Burlsworth Trophy. The award is given to the most outstanding college football player who started as a walk-on.
McGloin finished his career in the blue and white with 513 completions for 6,390 yards and 46 touchdowns. He went undrafted in 2013, but eventually signed with the Oakland Raiders and played four seasons in the NFL.
Carl Nassib was undersized when he first got to Penn State in 2011 and didn't receive an offer from any major program out of high school. His off-the-field work flew under-the-radar up until he broke out as a defensive star in his final season.
Nassib totaled 65 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three passes defended, and one interception over his career at Penn State. In 2015, he led the FBS in sacks (15.5) and forced fumbles (six). This was the first time since 2002 that a Nittany Lion had led the division in multiple categories. His sacks that season also set a program record and his forced fumbles were the most in Penn State history since 2002.
Following his senior season in 2015, Nassib won the Lombardi Award for the country's top lineman/linebacker, the Ted Hendricks award for the nation's top defensive end, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy for the defensive player that embodies integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and was an consensus All-American in 2015 as well.
Nassib was a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, going 65th overall to the Cleveland Browns. He had a seven-year career, which included stops at Tampa Bay and Las Vegas.
Deon Butler took a risk coming to Happy Valley. He had a late breakout in high school, so the recruiting process wasn't kind to him. Despite having offers from other programs, Butler still had his sights set on Penn State.
He took the best opportunity to get on the field, which was moving back over onto offense at wide receiver. Butler spent the first season on the scout team at defensive back, but Paterno's vision for the young Nittany Lion is where he found his success story.
In 2005 at wide receiver, Butler led the Big Ten in yards per catch (18.7) and finished the season with 37 receptions for 691 yards. Over the next three years, Butler stayed consistent and took a leap in receiving yards in 2008. He totaled 179 catches for 2,771 yards and 22 touchdowns in his Penn State career and averaged 55.4 yards per game.
His career put him at the top of the Nittany Lions' receiving charts. As of 2026, Butler has the third-most receiving yards and receptions in program history. He ranks fourth in receiving touchdowns as well.
Butler was eventually drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2009, going 91st overall in the third round.
Neal Smith was completely unknown prior to college, but worked his way to becoming the first non-scholarship player since the 1950s to earn a spot as a starter.
Over his career, Smith set and broke his own records while helping Paterno secure his first (and eventually second) undefeated season in 1968. He totaled eight interceptions that season, setting a single-season Penn State record, then broke that record in 1969 with 10 interceptions. The Nittany Lions also won the Orange Bowl in both of those 11-0 seasons.
In his final year, Smith was also named a first-team All-American. His single-season interception record is shared alongside Pete Harris (1978), and he still holds the program record for career interceptions (19).
Gregg Garrity might not be a leader on Penn State's charts, but was a crucial offensive weapon when the Nittany Lions needed him most. He spent time between wide receiver and defensive back, but eventually settled in at the former position.
In his final season, Garrity caught 32 passes for 509 yards and three touchdowns, which was his most productive season in his NCAA career. He secured his spot as one of he most impactful Penn Staters after his 48-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 1983 Sugar Bowl. This gave the Nittany Lions their first national championship in program history.
Garrity finished his collegiate career with 58 receptions for 952 yards and four touchdowns. In bowl games, specifically, he holds the record for second-most receiving yards with 116. Penn State held a 31-5 record and had three bowl victories while Garrity was on the team. He also had the winning touchdown reception in the 1982 Fiesta Bowl.
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