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

#7 Michael Mauti (Linebacker, 2008-2012): Michael Mauti doesn't have the accolades that former Penn State linebackers have. He doesn't have all the stats and isn't the most well-known linebacker in Penn State history. He is however, one of the most beloved Penn State players in history. The 2012 football season was one of the most memorable because of what happened in the off-season. The Jerry Sandusky scandal rocked Penn State and it was up to a group of seniors to hold the team together through what would be the toughest time in Penn State history. That group was led by Michael Mauti, the heart and soul of the team. Then head coach Bill O'Brien would lean on Mauti, who's brother and dad both played at Penn State, to be the glue that would hold the team together. They opened the 2012 season with back-to-back loses to Ohio and on the road against Virginia, not the most ideal way to start the season. The team would rally in week 3 with a win over Navy. In the team's second to last game, Mauti tore his ACL for a third time. Despite that, he was on the sideline for the teams final game against Wisconsin. To honor their teammate, the entire team had his number 42 on their helmet and the season ended the way it should and the way everyone wanted it to, with a win on Senior Day. Michael Mauti will always be remembered by Penn Staters whether it's because of his toughness on the field or his leadership off.
Career Achievements:
-First Team All-Big Ten (2012)
-First Team All-American (2012)
-Butkus-Fitzgerald Award (Big Ten's best linebacker)