Only Nyeem Wartman Until Penn State Football

Nyeem Wartman committed to Penn State in the summer of 2011, before IT; he was a three-star, the second linebacker commit of the class, and stuck with the Nittany Lions despite all of the sanctions and turnover throughout the past few years.

On-field, Wartman was an immediate standout; he made such an impression on Bill O'Brien and then-linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden that he saw time right away as a true freshman. He make a key blocked punt in the 2012 season opener against Ohio before suffering a season-ending injury early into the game at UVA; the NCAA granted him a medical redshirt for the 2012 season, and 2013 became his redshirt freshman year.

While Wartman didn't break out in replacing Mike Mauti and Gerald Hodges as much as many had hoped, he was solid in starting eight games (playing all 12) for the Nittany Lions in 2013. He ended the season with 32 tackles (2.5 for loss), one sack, and one forced fumble. He was also named to the Academic All-Big Ten team (obligatory #culture reference).