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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) /
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UNITED STATES – JUNE 21: Ex-Baltimore Colts running back Lydell Mitchell competes in the Booz Allen Classic Pro-Am at TPC Avenel, Potomac, Maryland, Wednesday, June, 21st, 2006. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – JUNE 21: Ex-Baltimore Colts running back Lydell Mitchell competes in the Booz Allen Classic Pro-Am at TPC Avenel, Potomac, Maryland, Wednesday, June, 21st, 2006. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

3. Lydell Mitchell, Running Back

Lydell Mitchell played for Penn State from 1969-71 and he takes the cake as the best Nittany Lions running back of all time.

The New Jersey-native was so great during his time at Penn State, that as an upperclassmen he outshined a backfield that featured Franco Harris and John Cappelletti. He rushed for 2,934 yards during his time at Penn State, and averaged a whopping 5.9 yards per carry. He scored 38 rushing touchdowns and three receiving scores during his three-year career with the team. Mitchell finished fifth in the Heisman voting in 1971 and was named an All-American.

Mitchell was later drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. He went on to have a very lucrative career, but was outshined in the NFL by his backup at Penn State (Franco Harris).

Nonetheless, Mitchell was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was an All-Pro selection twice. He also led the NFL in receptions twice during his eight-year career. Mitchell rushed for 6,534 yards and 30 touchdowns during his NFL career. He caught 372 passes for 3,203 yards 17 scores as well.

After his NFL career, Mitchell moved to Maryland. He and his backfield teammate at Penn State, Franco Harris, own and operate a bakery in Baltimore together that provides under-privileged children with nutritionally enriched foods.

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