Penn State’s rich football tradition received another reminder this week as five Nittany Lion greats were recognized by Sporting News, earning spots on the publication’s 2026 College Football All-Decade All-America Teams.
Representing five different decades are tight end Ted Kwalick (1960s), offensive lineman Sean Farrell (1980s), linebacker Shane Conlan (1980s), linebacker LaVar Arrington (1990s), and running back Saquon Barkley (2010s). The selections span more than 50 years of Penn State football history and showcase the program’s ability to produce elite talent across generations.
Kwalick helped redefine the tight end position during his career from 1966-68. A two-time All-American and consensus selection in 1968, he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting that season, one of the highest finishes ever by a tight end. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989, Kwalick totaled 86 receptions for 1,343 yards and 10 touchdowns while helping establish Penn State as a national power. Today, the Big Ten’s Tight End of the Year Award bears his name alongside Iowa great Dallas Clark.
The 1980s are represented by two Nittany Lion standouts. Farrell anchored Penn State’s offensive line during consecutive 10-win seasons and Fiesta Bowl victories in 1980 and 1981. A consensus All-American and finalist for both the Lombardi and Outland trophies, he was selected in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft.
Joining him is Conlan, whose name is forever linked to Penn State’s 1986 national championship. The linebacker delivered one of the most memorable performances in school history during the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, recording two interceptions against Miami and earning Defensive MVP honors. A College Football Hall of Famer, Conlan finished his career with 274 tackles before becoming the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with the Buffalo Bills.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Few defensive players have been as dominant as Arrington. The 1999 Butkus, Bednarik and Jack Lambert Award winner became famous for the iconic “LaVar Leap” and finished his Penn State career with 173 tackles, 39 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. His spectacular play made him the No. 2 overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft.
Representing the 2010s is Barkley, one of the most electrifying players in Penn State history. The two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year rewrote the program’s record book, finishing as the school’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns and all-purpose yards. A consensus All-American and fourth-place Heisman finisher in 2017, Barkley became just the fifth Big Ten player to surpass 3,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a career before also being selected No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft.
Together, the five selections highlight Penn State’s sustained excellence, with legendary players from five different decades continuing to define the program’s place among college football’s elite.
No. 17 Penn State will open the Matt Campbell era on September 5 against Marshall at 3:30 PM (Eastern) from Beaver Stadium
