| Tim Shaw |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., April 29, 2007 - Linebacker Tim Shaw today became the fifth former Nittany Lion selected in the 2007 National Football League Draft.
A three-year starter, Shaw was picked by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round. With Shaw's selection, 232 Nittany Lions have been drafted under Coach Joe Paterno and more than 300 of his players have signed NFL contracts.
Twenty-one Penn State players have been selected in the NFL Draft during the past four years, including six in the first round.
On Saturday, the Arizona Cardinals selected All-America tackle Levi Brown No. 5 overall in the opening hour of the draft. Brown is the 34th Nittany Lion to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, 31 of whom have played for Paterno.
Fellow 2006 co-captain Paul Posluszny, the 2005 and '06 Bednarik Award winner, was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the second pick of the second round and No. 34 overall.
In the third round, defensive tackle Jay Alford was picked by the New York Giants, with the 81st overall pick. Later in the third round, the Philadelphia Eagles selected tailback Tony Hunt, No. 2 on the Nittany Lions' all-time rushing yardage list.
Shaw made the second position change of his productive career during the 2006 pre-season, moving to defensive end after two years as the starting middle linebacker. The quick and versatile player was highly effective starting every game at rush end, With his 6-1, 237-pound frame, Shaw often gave up 60-80 pounds to the offensive linemen he battled, but his relentless, tenacious attitude has helped him excel along the D-Line.
A native of Livonia, Mich., Shaw was second on the team and seventh in the Big Ten with seven sacks in 2006. The honorable mention All-Big Ten choice was sixth on the squad with 44 tackles (26 solo), was third with seven pass break-ups and had one fumble recovery. He began his Penn State career at running back as a true freshman in 2002.
The 2001 Gatorade Player of the Year in Michigan, Shaw also was a highly respected teammate and accomplished student. He graduated in May 2006 with a degree in management and is working toward a second degree, in telecommunications. He brought a 3.37 grade point average into the fall semester and earned first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America? honors, joining Paul Posluszny. Already the only Nittany Lion to receive both the Frank Patrick "Total Commitment" Award, as well as the Jim O'Hora Award (most improved defensive player), Shaw added to his trophy case at the team's Senior Banquet. He earned an enthusiastic and heartfelt ovation when he was announced as winner of the Ridge Riley Award, presented to a senior for "sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship."