Tom McEowen bounced back from injuries the first two years of his Penn State career to earn more significant playing time on the defensive line in 2008, with the prospect of more contributions this year. The 2005 Philadelphia Inquirer Defensive Player-of-the-Year at Neshaminy HS, McEowen played in seven games last season, making five tackles. But, an injury to his right shoulder that sidelined him for much of spring practice required surgery following the spring semester and could limit his availability as the season commences. Possessing good size, skills and instincts, McEowen is dealing with his third significant injury. During his true freshman debut game against Northwestern in 2006, he suffered a season-ending injury on the seventh play of his collegiate career. McEowen worked his way back to 100 percent, but, during the winter conditioning workouts of 2007, he sustained a torn right anterior cruciate ligament that caused him to see limited action during his redshirt freshman season.
2008 Junior Season
McEowen played in seven games, making five tackles for the Big Ten Champions. He made a career-high two tackles in the win at Syracuse. He also recorded stops against Temple, Michigan and Indiana. McEowen saw action on 81 snaps, with a season-best 23 each against Oregon State and Syracuse.
2007 Sophomore Season
McEowen[apos]s 2007 season began with a significant challenge, as he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the first week of winter conditioning. He did an exemplary job in his rehabilitation and made his season debut in the third game, against Buffalo. McEowen played in seven games, including five of the last six regular-season contests, but did not make any tackles.
2006 Freshman Season
McEowen made his collegiate debut against Northwestern, seeing action on several plays during the second half. But, he suffered an injury that ended his season. He was granted a medical redshirt season.
High School
McEowen was one of the top defensive linemen in the Commonwealth. As a senior for Coach Mark Schmidt at Neshaminy HS, he made 87 tackles (60 solo) with 12 tackles for losses, five of which were sacks. His standout efforts earned him the nod as Philadelphia Inquirer Defensive Player-of-the-Year, as well as a Big 33 Classic selection. He also was second-team all-state, PA Football News first-team All-Pennsylvania and first-team All-Suburban One League. McEowen was a prep teammate of former record-setting Nittany Lion placekicker Kevin Kelly.
Personal
Full name is Thomas Richard McEowen. He is enrolled in the College of the Liberal Arts. Born October 9, 1987.