Penn State football: 5 great Nittany Lions who didn’t live up to the NFL hype
Former Penn State football greats who were NFL busts.
Between the college football greats that have suited up for the Nittany Lions, the atmosphere created at Beaver Stadium, their iconic look on the field and the two National Championships in program history, it’s safe to say that Penn State football has left an indelible mark on the sport. And you don’t do that without the aforementioned elite players that have come through Happy Valley.
Though the Nittany Lions have just one Heisman Trophy winner in their rich history (John Cappelletti in 1973), Penn State football has nonetheless produced many unforgettable figures over the past 100 years or so. Some have gone on to NFL success but others have faltered in that regard.
Our focus is on those players who fall in the latter category. These are five Penn State football standouts who never found their footing at the NFL level.
Todd Blackledge wasn’t a record-setter in terms of his statistical output throughout his collegiate career with the Nittany Lions. In fact, he’s not all that impressive when you tack him up against basically every other starting quarterback that came after him in the program. He ranks just 10th in career passing yards (4,812), though he does tie for fifth in career passing touchdowns (41).
Having said that, Blackledge is an undeniable legend at Penn State for the success that enjoyed while he was leading the offense under Joe Paterno. He started all three years for the Nittany Lions at the position and accrued an incredible 31-5 record as a starter over those three seasons. And while he may not have been airing it out, he played a key role in that success.
That was never more evident than as a senior in the 1982 season. Blackledge had his best statistical season that year, throwing for 2,218 yards with 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions along with three rushing touchdowns. More importantly, though, he led Penn State to a National Championship, usurping Herschel Walker and Georgia to win the title.
After his collegiate success, Blackledge was famously selected with then No. 7 pick in the 1983 NFL Draft back the Kansas City Chiefs, going ahead of Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. He never had nearly the success of his peers, though. He was mainly a backup for the Chiefs and then filled the same role in two seasons with the Steelers. Blackledge went just 15-14 in 29 starts with only 5,286 career passing yards along with 29 touchdowns to 38 interceptions over his seven NFL seasons.