Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Penn State Football: Top 10 players in program history

By Zac Voynow

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks on the field during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks on the field during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: Franco Harris looks on from a memorial honoring Joe Paterno’s 50 year anniversary of his first win as Penn State coach before the game against the Temple Owls on September 17, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: Franco Harris looks on from a memorial honoring Joe Paterno’s 50 year anniversary of his first win as Penn State coach before the game against the Temple Owls on September 17, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

6. Franco Harris, Running Back

Franco Harris played for Penn State from 1969-71. He had one of the best NFL careers out of all former Penn Staters as he rushed for 2,002 yards during his three-year career. He also accumulated 24 rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

Despite being overshadowed by fellow running back Lydell Mitchell while at Penn State, Harris went on to have a much better career in the NFL.

Harris rushed for 12,120 yards on 4.1 yards per carry and had for 91 rushing touchdowns in his NFL career. He also accumulated 307 receptions for 2,287 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Harris is an NFL Hall of Famer, and he won four Super Bowls. He was also a nine-time Pro-Bowler, and was selected three times as an All-Pro.

Moreover, Harris was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1972, and was the NFL Man of the Year in 1976. He was added to the NFL 1970s All-Decade team, and is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time team. Harris had the most memorable play in NFL history, which is remembered as the “Immaculate Reception”.

Home/Penn State Nittany Lions