Penn State Football: Nittany Lions All-Time NFL Defensive Unit

Penn State University has a rich tradition of defensive football, most notably at linebacker.

Over the years the Nittany Lions have churned out enough talent to earn the title "Linebacker U".

Here is a look at the All-Time Penn State defensive unit. This team is made up of the Penn State alumni who went on to have the best NFL careers at their respective position.

DE: Tamba Hali

Tamba Hali has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks since entering the NFL. He is halfway through his sixth season as a pro and is the only active player to make this team.

The Kansas City Chiefs snatched the Nittany Lion defensive end with their first-round pick back in 2006.

After playing the left end position his first two years, Hali was moved to linebacker during the 2008 season.

Through 86 career games Hali has racked up 47.5 sacks, including 14.5 during his Pro Bowl campaign a year ago.

The future is bright for this Penn State alum. The Chiefs will continue to build their defense around Hali after committing to him with five year, $60 million extension.

DT: Rosey Grier

Rosey Grier played defensive line for the Nittany Lions during the early part of the 1950's.

In 1955 Grier was drafted by the New York Giants where he played until 1962.

During his time there, Grier was a two-time Pro Bowler and was named to the All-Pro team six times. He also won an NFL championship with the Giants in 1956.

Following the 1962 season Grier was traded to the Los Angeles Rams where he became a member of the "Fearsome Foursome," one of the best defensive lines in football history.

This Penn State great racked up 44.5 sacks from the defensive tackle position during his 141 game career.

DT: Mike Reid

Upon leaving Penn State, Mike Reid was selected in the first-round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1970.

Reid's professional football career was brief, lasting only until 1974, before retiring due to injuries. However, during this time, he was one of the best players in the NFL.

As a defensive tackle, Reid posted sack totals of 12, 12 and 13 in consecutive seasons. He finished his short career with 49 sacks and two Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.

The dominance displayed by Reid begs the question of whether he could have been one of the greatest players ever, if not for injury.

DE: Dave Robinson

Dave Robinson, like Tamba Hali, was a defensive end who transitioned to linebacker as a professional.

The Green Bay Packers selected Robinson with their first-round pick in the 1963 NFL draft. He went on to be a defensive mainstay on Vince Lombardi's three consecutive championship teams.

The NFL does not have statistical record of all of Robinson's tackles and sacks, but he is credited with 27 interceptions and 12 fumbler recoveries.

He was also named to the 1960's All-Decade team.

Robinson was a great defensive player who receives little acclaim.

OLB: LaVar Arrington

LaVar Arrington was one of the best linebackers in college football history.

His collegiate dominance led to him being selected second-overall behind teammate Courtney Brown in the 2000 NFL draft.

Arrington's professional career was cut short following an Achilles injury in 2006, but the linebacker still managed to leave a mark on the NFL.

From 2001-2003 he made three consecutive Pro Bowls as a member of the Washington Redskins. He finished his career with 357 tackles, 23.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles.

Arrington was a force to be reckoned with during his time in Washington.

MLB: Shane Conlan

Shane Conlan was a first-round selection of the Buffalo Bills coming out of Penn State.

The middle linebacker began piling up the accolades right away by earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1987.

Conlan went on to earn three Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections and was a member of three Bills Super Bowl teams.

After six season in Buffalo, he played three with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams before retiring in 1995.

Conlan was a rock in the middle and amassed 751 career tackles.

OLB: Jack Ham

Jack Ham is one of the greatest linebackers in football history.

This Penn state alum was a member of the vaunted "Steel Curtain" defense of the 1970's.

During his career with the Steelers Ham was named to eight Pro Bowls and won four Super Bowls. He is on countless honorary lists and teams including the 1970's All-Decade team.

The Hall of Famer was a turnover machine with 32 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries in his career.

Ham stands out even amidst Penn State's storied linebacker history.

CB: Paul Lankford

The Penn State All-NFL team does not have the same strength in the secondary that it does in the front seven.

Paul Lankford is not a Hall of Fame player, but he was a solid contributor during Super Bowl runs for the Miami Dolphins.

Lankford played cornerback for the Dolphins from 1982-1991. During his career he played in 130 games, intercepting 13 passes and recovering three fumbles.

The stats are not gaudy, but Lankford's presence was felt on a winning team.

S: Darren Perry

Penn State safety Darren Perry went on to have a very successful professional career after leaving Happy Valley.

Drafted in 1992, Perry played seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one with the New Orleans Saints.

He started every game of his eight year career and recorded 507 tackles and 35 interceptions. Perry was also named to the All-Pro team in 1994.

Perry and Rod Woodson formed a dynamic safety tandem for the Steelers.

S: Michael Zordich

Michael Zordich is a legacy name at Penn State. The star safety on this "All-Time NFL" team is the father of the current Nittany Lion fullback who shares the name.

Zordich played safety for the New York Jets, Phoenix (Arizona) Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles during his 12 year career.

The former Nittany Lion finished his NFL career with 588 tackles, 20 interceptions, six sacks and four defensive touchdowns.

Zordich is currently serving as secondary/safety coach for the Eagles.

CB: David Macklin

David Macklin was a journeyman corner who spent his productive years with the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals.

He played four years in Indianapolis and three in Arizona prior to reserve roles in Washington and Kansas City.

Macklin finished his career with 314 tackles to go along with 13 interceptions.

Again, the options at corner are less than stellar for this All-Time Penn State team, but Macklin did turn in a reasonably long, productive career.