Linebacker U Numbers to Consider for a Custom Penn State Jersey

If you are ordering a custom Penn State jersey and the number is the last thing left to decide, the program's linebacker tradition is a good place to look. Penn State has long been nicknamed "Linebacker U," and a few numbers on that list come with stories most Nittany Lions fans already know. Below are the two that come up most often, plus a few practical tips for turning that history into a jersey you will actually wear.

Why Penn State Is Called Linebacker U

The nickname comes from decades of linebackers who left State College as All-Americans and award winners. Jack Ham, who played from 1968 to 1970, was a consensus All-American in 1970 and blocked three punts in 1968, a school record that stood alone until 1989. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Later generations kept adding names, and the numbers they wore became part of the conversation among fans.

No. 11: The LaVar Arrington Number

LaVar Arrington wore No. 11 for Penn State and turned it into one of the most recognizable numbers in the program's history. The Daily Collegian's ranking of the best Penn State players by jersey number credits him with the famous "LaVar Leap," back-to-back All-America honors, the Butkus and Bednarik awards, and the 1998 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.

Because more recent linebackers have also made No. 11 popular, it is a number that connects several eras of Penn State fans. If you share a game day section with people of different ages, it is one of the few numbers everyone recognizes.

No. 31: A Number Chosen to Honor Others

No. 31 has a different kind of story. Paul Posluszny switched to No. 31 before the 2004 season specifically to honor two earlier Penn State linebackers, Shane Conlan and Andre Collins. He went on to win the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2005 and 2006 and the Dick Butkus Award in 2005, and on November 4, 2006, he broke the school's career tackles record.

That detail matters if you like a jersey with layers of meaning. A No. 31 tips its cap to Posluszny, and through him to Conlan and Collins. It is a quiet way to show you know the history.

How to Turn the History Into a Custom Jersey

Pick the number first, then the name

Most fans start with a name and squeeze a number in later. Try the reverse. Decide which story you want the jersey to tell, choose the number, and then decide whether the back should carry your own last name, a family name, or a nickname your friends use at tailgates.

Keep the name short and readable

Long names get compressed across the shoulders and are harder to read from the stands. If your surname runs long, consider a shortened version or initials. A short name with a famous number reads cleanly from the upper deck.

Think about which games you will wear it to

Penn State fans often plan around White Out nights and cold November kickoffs. A lighter color stands out in a White Out crowd, while a darker jersey hides tailgate stains better late in the season. If you only plan to buy one jersey, choose the color for the game you care about most.

Check sizing against a jersey you already own

Lay a jersey that fits you well on a flat surface and measure chest width and length. Compare those numbers to the size chart before ordering, and leave room for a hoodie underneath if you sit outside in late fall.

Other Ideas If You Want Something Less Common

Not everyone wants the most famous number in the stadium. A few alternatives:

• Your graduation year: the last two digits make a natural jersey number.
• The year you attended your first game: a personal date only you and your family will know.
• A family member's old high school number: a good gift idea for a parent who played.

Where to Start Looking

If you are ready to compare styles and colors, you can browse a selection of custom Penn State Nittany Lions jerseys and choose a name and number that fit the story you want to tell. Whichever number you choose, the best custom jersey is the one with a reason behind it.