H I S T O R Y
F
or nearly four decades, Virginia has
been a fertile ground for producing
some of Penn State's best football
players, and that trend continues full
force into the 2019 season with two in-
coming prospects projected as high-im-
pact freshmen.
What's surprising is that no one from
Virginia is known to have played on a
Penn State varsity football team until
1980. Media guides did not exist until the
mid-1960s, and rosters made public over
the years dating back to the early 1900s
were not as thorough about the back-
ground of players. Thus, it's possible that
a Virginian or two are among those Nit-
tany Lions who played before 1980.
It also may be a surprise to learn that the
team's major records for career passing,
rushing yardage and receptions are now
owned by Virginia players, as Blue White
Illustrated magazine editor Matt Herb
pointed out when he assigned me to write
about this bountiful Southern heritage.
Quarterback Trace McSorley of Ash-
burn just completed his four-year career
as the Nittany Lions' all-time passing
leader in 3ve categories, including yards
(9,899) and touchdowns (77). Tailback
Evan Royster of Chantilly is the program's
BLUE STATE
Virginia has played an increasingly prominent role in PSU's recruiting efforts
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