Only Jeff Hartings Until Penn State Football

Before going on to a successful NFL career, Jeff Hartings was bscaff’s favorite player in Penn State history. Hartings was a dominant offensive lineman while in Happy Valley, a two time All-American selection (consensus in 1995) and three-time first team All-Big Ten guard. Much like 53’s focal point Keith Conlin, Hartings was an integral part of the ridiculous Nittany Lion offense of 1994 that only gave up 4 sacks and led the country in total and scoring offense.

Hartings, an Ohio native, was drafted by the Lions in the first round (23rd overall) and spent five years in Detroit (one season, 2001, as an All-Pro) before moving on to Pittsburgh as a free agent. It was during his time with the Steelers that Hartings finally was invited to the Pro Bowl, earning those honors in 2004 and 2005; he retired from playing soon after due to his over-reliance on painkillers to survive in the league. He had started 160 games over the previous 10 seasons in the NFL, playing in 162 total.