With the first 25 seasons of college football in the books, Penn State has left an indelible mark.
Throughout it all, Penn State has created memories for the Nittany Faithful.
In this five-part series, Iโll be ranking the 25 best players that have played for Penn State football in the first 25 seasons of the 21st century.ย
One could argue the most significant commitment of the first quarter of the 21st Century came from Derrick Williams.
As Williamsโ senior season came, he was rated the No. 1 overall prospect in the country and had every coach wanting his commitment. In a stunner, Williams chose Penn State because of what Joe Paterno meant to him and the persistence in hand written letters the legendary coach would send.
Williams’ first season he demonstrated prior to a season-ending injury against Michigan, it was explosive players like Williams that Penn State lacked that kept them from winning.
In 2008, Williams put together his best season at Penn State, earning All-American recognition as well as becoming the first player in the Paterno era to have a rushing, receiving and a kick return touchdown in the same game accomplishing the feat against Illinois.ย
Dotson was a bright star through a transition period during his time at Penn State.ย
Dotsonโs ascension to star happened while Penn State was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic season of 2020 and dealing with quarterback Sean Cliffordโs injury and other offensive issues that plagued the offensive line and running attack in 2021.
Throughout it all, Dotson had some significant milestones like his performance against Maryland in 2021 where he broke Deon Butlerโs record for receiving yards in a game.ย
In 2020, Dotson had great performances against Ohio State where he had three receiving touchdowns and became the third Big Ten player since 2000 to have more than 100 receiving yards and a punt return touchdown in the same game.
Dotson finished his Penn State career second in school history in both career receptions (183) and receiving touchdowns (25).ย
Chris Godwin was the next in the line of prolific wide receivers Penn State had in the 21st Century.
As Allen Robinson set many Penn State records and had feats such as the only player to have back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, many wondered who would be ready to take the mantle and Godwin was it.ย
During the 2015 season, Godwin broke out with a career high 1,101 yards – at the time the second most prolific receiving season behind only Robinson (Tyler Warren 2024 and Jahan Dotson 2021 have since had more receiving yards than Godwinโs 2015 season).ย
Despite seeing more attention by defenders in the 2016 season, Godwin became just the fourth Penn State wide receiver ever (Bobby Engram – 1993, 1995; Joe Jurevicious – 1997; Allen Robinson 2012 previously and Jahan Dotson – 2021 after) to have 10 or more touchdowns in a single season.ย
Godwinโs final game came in the Rose Bowl where he finished with nine receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns including a 72-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter where Penn State set a Rose Bowl record 28 points in a single quarter.
When we think of this recent run of tight ends that have flourished at Penn State, it all began with Gesicki.ย
Gesicki was an athletic marvel, something Penn State had been slowly evolving towards but blossomed with him.
As Penn State mounted its surprise Big Ten Championship run in 2016, Gesicki was an impact player at Penn Stateโs most critical moments. Gesicki scored the first touchdown for Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin. Against USC in the Rose Bowl, Gesicki had caught a highlight-worthy touchdown at the end of the first half from Trace McSorley that made it a one possession game.
Gesicki still has the Penn State single-season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end with nine in 2017.
Before you saw Odrick appear in the HBO drama Ballers starring Dwayne โThe Rockโ Johnson or caught him on the small circuits driving sports cars on the Grand Touring circuit, Odrick was an outstanding defensive tackle for Penn State in the late 2000โs.ย
Odrick earned the starting job in 2007 and had a breakout 2008 season earning his first of consecutive All-Big Ten honors. Odrick was a key component to Penn Stateโs second Big Ten championship team in four seasons as he finished 2008 with 41 tackles (9.5 tackles for loss), 4.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble.ย
In 2009, Odrick was at his absolute best, earning a share of the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors (Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones), along with being named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Odrick put together his finest season with six sacks, ranking eighth in the Big Ten, along with 10 tackles for loss.
