Only Ed Pryts Until Penn State Football

Ed Pryts was a standout linebacker for Penn State from 1978 - 1981.  The 1981 squad was probably the best team in the nation that season, but couldn't make it's way unblemished through a brutal schedule, which included visits to Nebraska, NC State (who was actual good then), Miami, and then-no.1 Pitt (a 48-14 Lion victory), along with home games against Notre Dame and Alabama.  Ed and his teammates played USC in the Fiesta Bowl, where they shut down Heisman winner Marcus Allen, 26-10. They finished the year ranked 3rd in the AP Poll, and won the National Championship the next season.

Ed took jersey number 61 from All-America defensive tackle Leo Wisniewski 1979 (who switched to 69 (nice)).  Leo's son Stefan wore 61 in his last few seasons at Penn State.  Maybe Ed's son Andrew will do the same.  Probably not, since Andrew is a safety.  But Andrew's the #9 ranked prospect in the Commonwealth for 2016.  So, here's to hoping.