Penn State Football: Top 10 Players of the 2000's

8. Tamba Hali (Defensive End, 2002-2005): Before he became an All Pro NFL player, he was an All-American at Penn State. Before that, he lived in the civil war-torn country of Liberia until he was ten. He joined his father, a Fairleigh Dickinson University chemistry professor and Teaneck High School chemistry teacher, in the United States. During his high school career, Hali became an All-American and the number one overall high school prospect in the state of New Jersey. He then received a scholarship from Penn State. Hali was a key piece on the 2005 Nittany Lions team that finished the season 11-1 and a win against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. During that season, the senior lead the defense with 11 sacks (tied for eighth nationally) and 17 tackles for loss. Those number earned him unanimous All-American honors, first team All-Big Ten, and was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. On his way to being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Hali was named the Senior Bowl MVP. Number 91 was a fan favorite from the beginning and continued to grow on Nittany Lion fans everywhere. Put all that together and you have the one of the best to wear the blue and white. 
Career Achievements:
- Unanimous First Team All-American (2005)
- First Team All-Big Ten (2005)
- Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year (2005)