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See the full story · 1 sourcesFive former Penn State football stars have been named among the greatest college football players.
The Sporting News released a College Football All-America Teams by Decades listing this week as the Nittany Lions open fall camp in preparation for the 2026 season .
The Lions who made the cut: Tight end Ted Kwalick (1960s), linebacker Shane Conlan (1980s), offensive lineman Sean Farrell (1980s), linebacker LaVar Arrington (1990s) and running back Saquon Barkley (2010s).
Kwalick, Conlan and Arrington are college football hall of famers. All were first-team All-Americans during their careers.
Of course, the piece does not include the 1950s, which featured PSU hall of fame quarterback Richie Lucas and superstar running back Lenny Moore , who Joe Paterno called the greatest player he ever coached.
Ted Kwalick, tight end
Kwalick was fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1968, the second-highest finish by a tight end in the award’s history.
The two-time All-American still ranks third all-time in school history for career receiving yards by a tight end (1,343). The Big Ten’s Tight End of the Year award? It's named after him.
Sean Farrell, offensive lineman
Farrell was a two-time All-American and was a finalist for the top linemen awards (Lombardi, Outland) in 1981. He was selected in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Shane Conlan, linebacker
The two-time All-American was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
Conlan delivered an iconic performance, including two interceptions, in the national title game victory over Miami to conclude the 1986 season. His 274 career tackles rank 10 th all-time at Penn State.
LaVar Arrington, linebacker
Another two-time All-American and college football hall of famer enjoyed a stupendous 1999 season, winning the Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker) and Bednarik Award (top defensive player).
He was the first sophomore to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1998 after posting 72 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two blocked kicks and returning two fumbles (one for a touchdown). His famous “LaVar Leap” against Illinois was the 1998 Compaq Defensive Play of the Year.
Saquon Barkley, running back
The two-time All-American finished fourth in the 2017 Heisman Trophy voting, the best for a Nittany Lion in 15 years.
He earned the Big Ten’s top running back and offensive player awards in 2016 and 2017.
He finished his career as the program’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (43), total touchdowns (53), all-purpose yards (5,538), receiving yards by a running back (1,157) and receptions by a running back (102). He's one of only five Big Ten players of all-time − and the only Nittany Lion − with 3,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a career.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Best Penn State football players ever? Who made the Sporting News list
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