Penn State is often referred to as "Linebacker-U" and for good reason. Over the past few decades the university has sent top-tier linebackers to the next level and many of them have become NFL stars.
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Currently, former Penn State linebackers playing in the NFL combine to make a whopping $43,518,361 in average yearly salary. That includes one player — NaVorro Bowman — who brings in more than $10 million a year.
Here's a look at the former Penn State backers who are currently on NFL rosters: (Salary info courtesy OverTheCap)
| Player | Average Yearly Salary | NFL Team |
|---|---|---|
| NaVorro Bowman | $10,500,000 | San Francisco |
| Cameron Wake | $9,125,000 | Miami |
| Tamba Hali | $7,000,000 | Kansas City |
| Sean Lee | $7,000,000 | Dallas |
| Paul Posluszny | $5,000,000 | Jacksonville |
| Nathan Stupar | $1,666,667 | New Orleans |
| Michael Mauti |
$855,000 |
New Orleans |
| Gerald Hodges | $645,027 | Buffalo |
| Mike Hull | $615,000 | Miami |
| Garrett Sickels | $556,667 | Indianapolis |
| Brandon Bell | $555,000 | Cincinnati |
It's important to note that while Cameron Wake is considered a defensive end in the NFL, he was indeed a linebacker for Penn State.
If you take the five highest paid former Penn State linebackers — Bowman, Wake, Hali, Lee and Posluszny — they combine to bring in $38,625,000 per year in average yearly salary, an average of $7,725,000 each.
Take note, high school linebackers. Penn State could be the place you want to go to take your game to the next level.
