Paul Posluszny played well as a freshman, finishing the year with 36 tackles, 2.5 of them coming for a loss. That was nothing compared to what he has done the past two years. As a sophomore, he had 104 tackles, 12 for loss, and three sacks. He was even better as a junior, winning the Bednarik and Butkus awards after totaling 116 tackles, 11 for loss, and three sacks, along with an interception. As a senior, he shook off the rust he showed earlier in the year and finished with 108 tackles, seven for loss, and three sacks.
There isn’t anything on the field that Posluszny cannot do. He is a true linebacker through and through. He is tough as nails, and has excellent instincts. He quickly diagnoses the action and reacts and flies to the football, wherever the action flows. Posluszny isn’t afraid to stick his nose in amongst the lineman, but also has the physical ability and awareness to play in space and make plays.
The only issue physically about Posluszny is that he doesn’t have one true standout physical quality. He is not lacking anything, but nothing truly jumps out at you. His senior season was a little down by his standards, but he was playing a new position for the first time.
Hall of Fame linebacker, and former Penn St backer, Jack Ham gave Poz the title, “Best linebacker to ever play at Penn St.” That’s saying a lot. Had Posluszny not been hurt last year, he may have declared for the NFL Draft, and was a definite first round pick had he done so. He’s a first rounder this year as well and should land at some point in the last half of the first.