Garry Gilliam Season 2009

One of the most charismatic members on the Nittany Lions[apos] roster, Garry Gilliam also is one of the squad[apos]s most selfless and dedicated individuals. The 2012-13 academic year presented further opportunities and challenges for Gilliam and he enters the 2013 season at a new position and with an additional year of eligibility and leadership opportunities. He returned to the field in 2012 for the first time since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament at Iowa in the 2010 Big Ten-opener. Playing tight end, the athletic and talented Gilliam was an effective and highly-motivated contributor for the team, whether he was catching passes, blocking for the running backs or protecting Matt McGloin during his record-setting campaign. But, with the tight end unit (83 catches in 2012) blessed with several talented returnees and newcomers, Coach Bill O[apos]Brien and Gilliam discussed a possible move to tackle after last season, with 2012 right tackle Mike Farrell having graduated. Putting the team and its needs to be successful first, Gilliam embraced the move and the opportunity to be a substantial contributor for the offensive line. Having already exhibited his strong 6-6 frame last year, Gilliam[apos]s work-ethic, passion and commitment during the winter strength and conditioning program and spring rose to the next level, as he added nearly 30 pounds by summer. It was in the midst of winter conditioning that Gilliam was notified the NCAA had approved a sixth year of eligibility due to his knee injury and subsequent infection that delayed his surgery and prevented him from playing in 2011. The decision gave Gilliam a year of eligibility in 2014, which will be critical for the O-Line, which will lose four potential senior starters after this season in Adam Gress, Ty Howle, Eric Shrive and John Urschel. Gilliam[apos]s on-field progress was slowed in the spring, as he missed most of the sessions with a calf injury, but the physical and relentless player will be 100 percent for the start of training camp. The former Milton Hershey School All-American also is among the squad[apos]s most active members in community service. Gilliam earned Dean[apos]s List honors by compiling a 3.73 grade-point average during the spring semester and was named to the 2012 Academic All-Big Ten team. Gilliam has a double-major of advertising/public relations and management and brought a cumulative 3.18 GPA into the summer. He is on schedule to graduate in December.

2012 Senior Season
Gilliam played in every game, with eight starts at tight end, and made seven catches for 65 yards. He made a season-long 16-yard catch against Ohio State. He also had a 12-yard reception against Navy and 15-yard catch in the win over No. 24 Northwestern, both coming on the first play from scrimmage. Gilliam helped the Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten in total offense (437.0 ypg) in conference games and rank second in scoring offense (32.6 ppg) and pass offense (283.1 ypg) against Big Ten foes. He was instrumental in helping Penn State gain more than 500 yards of total offense three times in conference play. Gilliam was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team.

2011 Junior Season
Gilliam missed the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at Iowa in 2010. Gilliam[apos]s surgery was delayed due to an infection in the knee and he was not able to return to the field in 2011.

2010 Sophomore Season
With veteran Andrew Szczerba sidelined with a back injury, Gilliam got onto the field in the opener with Youngstown State and earned three starts during the first month of the season. He made his first career catch, good for 21 yards, in the win over Temple. But, the following week, in the Big Ten-opener at Iowa, Gilliam tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, ending his season. He made starts against Youngstown State, Alabama and Temple and played on 217 snaps during the initial five games, topped by 59 in the win over Temple and 50 against Youngstown State.

2009 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. Gilliam played defensive end on the foreign team. He caught two passes for 23 yards in the 2010 Blue-White game.

High School
A standout athlete, Gilliam played four sports at the Milton Hershey School. The All-American, all-state and All-Mid-Penn Conference honoree was a four-year starter, playing tight end and defensive end under Coach Bob Guyer. Gilliam gained 350 receiving yards on 20 receptions and scored four touchdowns in his career. During his senior season, he racked up 70 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions. He finished with 153 tackles, 12 sacks and five interceptions in his scholastic career. He played on the winning squad in the 2009 Big 15 game. Gilliam also was a member of the Pennsylvania squad in the 2009 Big 33 Classic. A WGAL-TV Player-of-the-Week, Gilliam was a conference champion in the javelin and qualified for the state track and field championships.

Personal
Full name is Garry Montzell Gilliam Jr. He is the son of Thelma Shifflett and Garry Gilliam Sr. He has one brother, Victor, and a sister, Angel. In his spare time, Gilliam enjoys graphic design work. He has a double-major of advertising/public relations and management and is on schedule to graduate in December. Born November 26, 1990 in Harrisburg, Pa.