UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Sophomore Micah Parsons claimed the Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year. Parsons was joined on the All-Big Ten first team by junior defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos. Parsons is the third Nittany Lion to earn Linebacker of the Year laurels, joining Mike Hull (2014) and Michael Mauti (2012).
Joining Parsons and Gross-Matos on the All-Big Ten defensive team are junior defensive end Shaka Toney (second team – coaches, honorable mention – media), senior defensive tackle Robert Windsor (third team – coaches, honorable mention – media), senior linebacker Cam Brown (third team – coaches, honorable mention – media), junior cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (honorable mention – coaches, third team – media), senior linebacker Jan Johnson (honorable mention – coaches & media), senior safety Garrett Taylor (honorable mention – coaches & media), senior cornerback John Reid (honorable mention – coaches & media) and junior safety Lamont Wade (honorable mention – coaches & media).
On special teams, Blake Gillikin (honorable mention – coaches & media), KJ Hamler (honorable mention – coaches & media) and Jake Pinegar (honorable mention – coaches & media) all earned All-Big Ten honors. Hamler was selected as a kick returner.
Gillikin is Penn State's sportsmanship selection.
Micah Parsons, LB, So./So., 6-3, 245, Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg
- Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year.
- Is the third Nittany Lion to earn Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, joining Michael Mauti (2012) and Mike Hull (2014).
- Is the first sophomore to win Big Ten Linebacker of the Year.
- First-team all-conference selection by the coaches and media.
- Earns second All-Big Ten honor of his career with an appearance on the coaches' and media's honorable mention team in 2018.
- Is the first Nittany Lion linebacker to earn All-Big Ten first team accolades since Mike Hull in 2014.
- Ranks No. 70 in FBS and No. 8 in the Big Ten in tackles per game (7.9).
- Leads the team with 95 tackles.
- Ranks second on the team with 11.0 tackles for loss.
- Is the seventh Nittany Lion to have 95 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in a season.
- Named a finalist for the Butkus Award.
- Selected as a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award.
- Named to the Pro Football Focus All-America first team.
- Named to the Rivals Midseason All-Big Ten team.
- Has six games with 10 or more tackles.
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week second team and Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Indiana game (11/16).
- Named to the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week second team and Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Minnesota game (11/9).
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Purdue game (10/5).
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following his performance vs. Pitt (9/14).
- Had a career-high-tying 14 tackles in the Penn State White Out win over Michigan (10/19).
- Ranks No. 14 among all defenders by Pro Football Focus in total defense.
- Ranks No. 1 among all defenders by Pro Football Focus in rushing defense.
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Jr./Jr., 6-5, 264, Spotsylvania, Va./Chancellor
- All-Big Ten first team selection by the coaches and media.
- Earns his second All-Big Ten first team honor after a selection by the media last season.
- Leads the team and ranks No. 23 in FBS and No.5 in the Big Ten in sacks with 0.77 per game (8.5 total).
- Leads the team and is No. 27 in FBS and No. 7 in the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 1.3 per game (14.0 total).
- Has seven quarterback hurries.
- Named to the Hendricks Award (Top Defensive End) Watch List.
- Named as a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award.
- Tabbed as a quarterfinalist for the Lott Impact Trophy.
- Selected a Sporting News Midseason All-American.
- Named second-team Midseason AP All-American.
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following the Michigan State game (10/26).
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following the Iowa game (10/12).
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following his performance vs. Buffalo (9/7).
- Collected a season-high nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, at Ohio State (11/23).
- Ranks No. 18 among edge defenders by Pro Football Focus in overall defense.
Shaka Toney, DE, Sr./Jr., 6-3, 243, Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter
- Second-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and honorable mention choice by the media.
- Ranked No. 15 in the Big Ten in sacks with 0.54 per game (6.5 total).
- Tied for seventh on the team with 39 tackles, including 8.0 tackles for loss.
- Has five quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Purdue game (10/5).
- Had a career-high seven tackles against Michigan (10/19).
- Registered four tackles, including three sacks, against Purdue (10/5).
- Collected five tackles, including a solo sack, and a QB hurry against Pitt (9/14).
- Collected four tackles and blocked a field goal in the first quarter, Penn State's first blocked field goal since Nick Scott against Michigan in 2018, at Michigan State (10/26).
Robert Windsor, DT, Gr./Sr., 6-4, 285, Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac
- Third-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and honorable mention choice by the media.
- Earns second career all-conference nod after an appearance on the media's third team and coaches' honorable mention squad last season.
- Recorded 38 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
- Has six quarterback hurries.
- Selected for the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Michigan State game (10/26).
- Named to the Pro Football Focus National and Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Iowa game (10/12).
- Tabbed to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following the Purdue game (10/5).
- Selected for the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team after his performance vs. Buffalo (9/7).
- Matched a career high with six tackles and equaled a personal mark with 2.5 tackles for loss (1.5 sacks) at Iowa 10/12). Also recorded two quarterback hurries.
- One of five players to have earned their degree entering the 2019 season.
Cam Brown, LB, Sr./Sr., 6-5, 233, Burtonsville, Md./The Bullis School
- All-Big Ten third team selection by the coaches and honorable mention choice by the media.
- Ranks third on the team with a career-high 69 tackles.
- Has three pass breakups, four quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
- Registered 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following the Michigan State game (10/26).
- Matched a career high with 10 tackles and forced and recovered a fumble in the first quarter against Buffalo (9/7).
- Collected seven tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a solo sack, against Pittsburgh (9/14).
- Matched a career best with 10 tackles to go along with two QB hurries against Michigan (10/19).
- Tallied six tackles, including one for loss, and had a pass breakup and QB hurry at Michigan State (10/26).
- Collected six tackles, including one tackle for loss, at Minnesota (11/9).
- Secured six tackles, including five solo, against Indiana (11/16).
- Recorded six tackles and recovered a fumble in the first quarter at Ohio State (11/23).
- Recorded seven tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, against Rutgers (11/30).
Tariq Castro-Fields, CB, Jr./Jr., 6-0, 197, Upper Marlboro, Md./Riverdale
- All-Big Ten third team selection by the media and honorable mention choice by the coaches.
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Iowa game (10/12).
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team after the Maryland game (9/27).
- Ranks sixth on the team with 48 tackles.
- Has team bests of two interceptions and eight pass breakups.
- Recorded a career-best eight tackles, including one for loss, and two pass breakups against Buffalo (9/7).
- Picked off a pass in the first quarter to stop a Maryland drive in the end zone and had two pass breakups at Maryland (9/27).
- Recorded six tackles and broke up a pass at Iowa (10/12).
- Made a career-high-tying eight tackles and intercepted a pass in the second quarter against Michigan (10/19).
- Matched a career high with eight tackles., including six solo, against Indiana (11/16).
Jan Johnson, LB, Gr./Sr., 6-2, 231, Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin
- Honorable-mention all-conference by coaches and media.
- Ranked fifth on the team with 60 tackles.
- Has 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and three quarterback hurries.
- Is third in the Big Ten with two fumble recoveries.
- Selected as a Pro Football Focus honorable-mention All-American.
- Named a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy.
- Selected as a Pro Football Focus Midseason All-American honorable mention.
- Tabbed Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following the Michigan State game (10/26).
- Named to the Pro Football Focus National and Big Ten Team of the Week first team following his performance vs. Pitt (9/14).
- Set a career high with 14 tackles, including nine in the first half, against Buffalo (9/7).
- Registered 11 tackles, including six solo, and made a career-high three tackles for loss at Minnesota (11/9).
- One of five players to have earned their degree entering the 2019 season.
John Reid, CB, 5th/Sr., 5-10, 181, Mount Laurel, N.J./St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.)
- All-Big Ten honorable mention selection by coaches and media.
- Collects his third all-conference honor after being named honorable mention by the coaches and media in 2016 and 2018.
- Has 34 tackles to go along with two interceptions.
- Is second on the team with seven pass breakups.
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Michigan game (10/19).
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team after his performance against Buffalo (9/7).
- Picked off a pass in the third quarter and returned it 25 yards to setup a Penn State touchdown against Idaho (8/31).
- Picked off a pass in the third quarter and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown, his first career pick-six against Buffalo (9/7).
Garrett Taylor, S, Gr./Sr., 6-0, 198, Richmond, Va./Saint Christopher's
- Honorable-mention all-conference by coaches and media.
- Collects his second all-conference honor after being named honorable mention by the coaches and media in 2018.
- Is tied for the team lead and ranks No. 6 in the Big Ten with three interceptions.
- Ranks third on the team with 61 tackles.
- Is tied for third on the team with seven pass breakups.
- Made seven tackles, including six solo, with one tackle for loss against Pittsburgh (9/14).
- Collected six tackles and a pass breakup at Iowa (10/12).
- Registered eight tackles, including his first career sack, against Michigan (10/19).
- Tallied 10 tackles, including five solo, at Minnesota (11/9).
- Secured six tackles against Indiana (11/16).
- Recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including six solo, at Ohio State (11/23).
- Posted seven tackles and a forced fumble on Senior Day against Rutgers (11/30).
- One of five Nittany Lions to have earned their degree entering the 2019 season.
Lamont Wade, S, Jr./Jr., 5-9, 199, Clairton, Pa./Clairton
- Honorable-mention all-conference by coaches and media.
- Is fourth on the team with a career-high 64 tackles.
- Ranks No. 21 in FBS and No. 6 in the Big Ten in forced fumbles with 0.25 per game (3 total).
- Has five pass break ups and one fumble recovery.
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Indiana game (11/16).
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Iowa game (10/12).
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following the Purdue game (10/5).
- Tied a Big Ten record with three forced fumbles at Ohio State (11/23/19), joining Michigan's Jerry Hartman (vs. Indiana, 10/21/1967), Ohio State's Antoine Winfield (at Pittsburgh, 9/23/1995), Iowa's Bob Sanders (vs. Minnesota, 11/15/2003) and Northwestern's Ifeadi Odenigbo (vs. Western Illinois, 9/20/2014).
- Became the third conference player with three forced fumbles in a Big Ten game.
- Is the sixth player in the FBS since 2000 to have three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in a game at Ohio State (11/23/19).
- Is the second Big Ten player since 2000 to have three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in a game, joining Northwestern's Ifeadi Odenigbo (vs. Western Illinois, 9/20/2014).
Blake Gillikin, P, Sr./Sr., 6-2, 196, Smyrna, Ga./The Westminster Schools
- Honorable-mention all-conference by coaches and media.'
- Collects his second all-conference honor after being named honorable mention by the coaches and media in 2017.
- Is Penn State's Sportsmanship honoree.
- Named a Pop Warner Award finalist.
- Selected CoSIDA Academic All-District.
- Named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week following the Michigan State game (10/26).
- Named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week following the Iowa game (10/12).
- Tabbed for the Ray Guy Award Ray's 8 Team following his performance at Iowa (10/12).
- Selected for the Ray Guy Award Ray's 8 Team following his performance vs. Pittsburgh (9/14).
- Selected as a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
- Tabbed as a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
- Boomed a 72-yard punt against Rutgers (11/30), which is tied for the seventh-longest punt in program history.
- Is the only player in program history with three 70-yard punts.
- Averaged 44.0 yards on eight punts with four punts inside the 20 and two inside the 10 versys Michigan (10/19).
- Averaged 44.2 yards per punt on a career-high-tying eight punts at Michigan State (10/26).
KJ Hamler, KR, Jr./So., 5-9, 176, Pontiac, Mich./IMG Academy (Fla.)
- Honorable-mention all-conference by coaches and media.
- Collects his second all-conference honor after being named honorable mention by the coaches and media as both a kick returner and wide receiver in 2018.
- Ranks No. 4 in the Big Ten and No. 27 in the FBS with 125.17 all-purpose yards.
- Sits No. 22 in the nation and No. 2 in the conference with 615 combined kick return yards.
- Is No. 5 in the Big Ten and No. 49 in the country with 21.3 kickoff return yards per game.
- Named a Maxwell Award semifinalist.
- Selected Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week following the Michigan game (10/19).
- Named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll after the Michigan game.
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus National and Big Ten Team of the Week first team following the Michigan game.
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following the Iowa game (10/12).
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week second team following the Purdue game (10/5).
- Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week first team after the Maryland game (9/27).
- Has made at least one catch in all 25 games of his career.
- Has made at least one catch of 20 or more yards in 14 of his last 15 games dating back to the Rutgers game (11/17/18).
- Has 16 catches of 20 or more yards, seven catches of 30 or more yards, five catches of 40 or more yards and three catches of 50 or more yards.
Jake Pinegar, K, So./So., 6-2, 195, Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny Centennial
- Honorable-mention all-conference by coaches and media.
- Is 10-for-11 on field goal attempts with a long of 47 yards.
- Is 50-for-52 on extra point attempts.
- Hit two field goals, connecting from 28 and 38 yards and converted all 10 extra point attempts against Idaho (8/31).
- Tied the Penn State record for extra points and extra point attempts in a game with 10 (Idaho) set by Charles Atherton vs. Gettysburg (1894) and Travis Forney vs. Akron (1999).
- Converted a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and hit all six extra point attempts versus Buffalo (9/7).
- Converted all eight extra point attempts and hit a 21-yard field goal to end the first half at Maryland (9/27).
- Hit both extra point attempts and made a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter at Iowa (10/12). Michigan (10/19): Converted all four extra point attempts. at Michigan State (10/26): Connected on two extra point attempts.
- Hit both field goal attempts, converting from 33 and 21 yards at Minnesota (11/9).
- Converted a season-long 47-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter against Indiana (11/16).
- Converted a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter and hit both of his extra point attempts at Ohio State (11/23).
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and reserving new 2020 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 9 a.m-4:30 p.m.