It's no secret that Michael Mauti wants to become an NFL linebacker. But how bad does he want it? According to NFL Network's (and Penn State graduate) Kimberly Jones, Mauti sent handwritten notes to all 32 NFL general managers explaining how much football means to him. According to Jones, "they're impressed."
The goal of raising funds for the Kidney Cancer Association remains the same, but the Penn State Chapter of Uplifting Athletes is officially under new leadership as senior guard Eric Shrive will serve as president for the 2013 season.
Meet Christian Hackenberg, senior quarterback at Fork Union Military Academy who committed to Penn State as of February 29th, 2012 over schools Alabama, Miami, Connecticut, and Virginia. Recruited by Charles London, Hackenberg holds the number one spot on both of ESPN150's Top 100 Quarterbacks and Top Virginia Recruits database. Hackenberg is expected to officially sign his talent over to the Nittany Lions in February, leading to his quarterback stardom in the fall.
Anyone who was around the Penn State football team last season, particularly the media, knows how entertaining former cornerback Stephon Morris can be. Morris' senior day postgame interview was the most emotional out of any of his teammates and he was never one to worry about being politically correct.
Morris was Penn State through and through and he didn't care who knew it. Now no longer under the leash of the sports PR department or his former coaches' watchful eyes, it came as little surprise that Morris would be the one to go off on some of his less loyal former teammates on Twitter.
Sit back and enjoy -- it was pure Twitter beauty.
Former Penn State linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Nate Stupar will represent the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens. This marks the 42nd time that a Penn State alum will appear on Super Bowl Sunday, and 35 former players have rings. While he did not attend Penn State, Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell, coached in Happy Valley for seven years on Joe Paterno's staff as quarterbacks coach for the Nittany Lions. For Bowman, breaking up a 4th down pass that halted the Atlanta Falcons drive with a minute to go was the pinnacle of a three year progression that has seen him go from a promising 3rd round draft selection to a Pro Bowl linebacker that finished second in the regular season with 149 tackles.
Joe Paterno passed away on January 22, 2012. Next Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary since that day, and to commemorate the iconic coach, a tribute organization, Inspiration Way, will hold a candlelight vigil in Paterno's honor.