One of the founding members of Linebacker U was two-time All-American Dennis Onkotz. A Northahmptom High School graduate Onkotz was a consensus All-American linebacker for the Nittany Lions in 1968 and 1969, helping to create the Linebacker U moniker.
Onkotz was a defensive stalwart for the Nittany Lions in 1969 when they went 11-0. This was the first undefeated season for Joe Paterno during his tenure as Penn State’s head coach and one of two years that Joe Pa’s Nittany Lions should have been the national champions but politics got in the way.
During his time in Happy Valley Onkotz recorded 287 tackles and 11 interceptions.