National Football Foundation

Widely regarded as one of the top linebackers in the country, Penn State's Paul Posluszny carries his on-field excellence into the classroom and the community.

A Finance major, Posluszny earned ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-America honors in 2005. A Dean's List member, he has twice received First Team Academic All-Conference recognition and ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-District honors. Posluszny is on schedule to graduate in only three and a half years. 

A two-year team captain, Posluszny's remarkable 2005 season earned him First Team All-America status, the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker and the Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player. Already this season, he has amassed 70 tackles, including a season-high 13 against Illinois. Named 2006 Pre-Season Consensus National Defensive Player of the Year, Posluszny claimed 2005-06 Penn State Male Athlete of the Year honors after leading the Nittany Lions to a share of the 2005 Big Ten Title. 

A community leader, Posluszny has volunteered his time at the Pennsylvania State Summer Special Olympics, Student-Athlete Reading Program and The Second Mile, a local charitable organization. 

Posluszny becomes the 15th Penn State player to win a National Scholar-Athlete Award and the first since Aaron Collins in 1997. He was selected in the second round (34th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and earned a starting role under coach Dick Jauron, a College Football Hall of Fame running back. However, Posluszny went down with an injury in week three and missed the rest of his rookie season. 

From 2008-10, he started 42 games for the Bills and accumulated 372 total tackles, four interceptions and three sacks. Posluszny was named the team's defensive MVP in 2008 after registering 110 total tackles, six pass deflections and an interception. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011 and led the Jaguars in total tackles from 2011-13, recording 420 tackles, 25 pass deflections, seven interceptions and seven sacks. 

Posluszny earned his only Pro Bowl selection in 2013 after tallying a franchise-record 161 single-season total tackles. He also set career highs in pass deflections (9) and sacks (3). He missed a majority of the 2014 season with a chest injury but is expected to return for the 2015 season.