Linebacker Shane Conlan became the 18th Penn State player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame today, a recognition of his great career and accomplishments in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl.

Conlan was a All-American in 1985 and 1986 and finalist for the Butkus Award in 1986. He led the National Champion team of ’86 in tackles with 79, cementing his legacy with two interceptions against Miami in that Fiesta Bowl, for which he was named Most Valuable Defensive Player. He finished his career with the second-most tackles in school history at the time with 274 before the Buffalo Bills chose him eighth overall in the 1987 NFL Draft. He played nine years in the pros with the Bills and Rams, recording 751 tackles along the way.

Conlan was also one of the designated inductees at Thursday’s announcement, along with TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson. He will be officially inducted on Dec. 9 in New York City.

“It’s a great honor to join all the former Penn State players and all the great players in the College Football Hall of Fame,” said Conlan, according to a press release. “It’s very humbling. The list of nominees was such a distinguished group.” Conlan also gave thanks to Joe Paterno during the ceremony.

Two other Penn Staters were on the ballot, running back D.J. Dozier and guard Steve Wisniewski. Dozier is most famous for his six-yard touchdown run in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl that sealed Penn State’s second national championship, while Wisniewski was an All-American in 1987 and 1988 after playing on the 1986 National Championship team.

Catch Conlan’s famous second interception against Miami at 9:45 below that led to Dozier’s touchdown run at 10:07. Keep in mind, the Lions were down 10-7 when both plays occurred.

Huge congrats to Shane Conlan on the accomplishment!