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And the beat goes on. Penn State has a long history of bringing some of the top high school players from Western Pennsylvania to State College. But, in the past decade in particular, "Linebacker U." has benefitted tremendously from the wealth of talent in metropolitan Pittsburgh. Brandon Short matriculated from McKeesport and was a first-team All-American in 1999. LaVar Arrington arrived on campus from North Hills HS and developed into a two-time All-American and Butkus Award winner. Aliquippa's Paul Posluszny began his ascension as a standout linebacker in 2003 and two years later was a consensus first-team All-American and Butkus winner as a junior, like Arrington. In 2004, McKeesport product Dontey Brown and Butler native Tyrell Sales became Nittany Lions. Their ranks were joined in 2005 by Sean Lee, a football and basketball standout from Upper St. Clair HS. Despite having one of the most talented and productive linebacker corps in the nation, the coaching staff couldn't keep the vastly skilled and competitive Lee off the field as a true freshman in 2005. The quick, athletic and instinctive Lee stepped up in a big way against Florida State in the 2006 FedEx Orange Bowl when Posluszny left the game with an injury. The Class AAAA all-state honoree made a season-high five stops, helping to limit the Seminoles to just 26 yards rushing in the 26-23 Penn State triple-overtime victory. As the 2006 preseason began, senior Tim Shaw accepted a move to defensive end in order to get the promising Lee into the lineup and help the Nittany Lions continue to be among the nation's premier defensive units. The intelligent and intense player did not disappoint, starting every game, recording 90 tackles and quickly establishing himself as a highly productive, big-play student-athlete, helping "Linebacker U." produce one of its top units in program history. With one full season of game competition behind him, Lee will be counted on for greater contributions on the field and to provide leadership for a defense that may start only one senior. He was named a preseason third-team All-American by Phil Steele's 2007 College Football Preview. Lee is a strong student, owning a 3.29 grade-point average in finance through the spring semester. He is a potential ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America candidate after earning Academic All-Big Ten honors last year.
2006 Sophomore Season
Starting every game at outside linebacker, Lee was instrumental in helping the Penn State defense rank in the top 15 nationally in rushing (87.5 ypg, seventh), scoring (14.4 ppg, ninth), total defense (284.5 ypg, 15th) and pass efficiency defense (105.9 rating, 14th) and sacks (40, sixth tie). Lee recorded 90 tackles, good for third on the squad, with eight tackles for losses, 5.5 sacks (minus-46), two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, one interception and two pass breakups. The signature game of his young career came at Wisconsin, as he delivered a career-high 13 tackles (seven solo), with two sacks (minus-23 yards), recovered two fumbles and forced the first fumble of his career. His first fumble recovery, coming after a Dan Connor sack, gave Penn State the ball on the Wisconsin 14. His second came in the fourth quarter after he sacked John Stocco for a loss of 14 yards, forced the fumble, recovered it and returned it seven yards to the Badgers' 40-yard line. In his first career start, Lee made six stops, with 1.5 tackles for loss in the opener with Akron. At Notre Dame, he made six stops and combined with Tony Davis for the first sack of his career. Lee was impressive at Ohio State, recording a game-high 11 tackles (six solo). He helped hold the Buckeyes' offense to 14 points and a season-low 253 yards. Lee made six hits against Northwestern and made a tremendous catch, getting his toes in on the sideline, for the first interception of his career. He led the Lions with nine tackles and broke up one pass against Michigan. Lee made seven tackles (five solo) and one sack in helping hold Purdue scoreless for the first time since 1996. The Lions held the nation's No. 8 ranked offense to 246 total yards, 202.5 below its average. In the Outback Bowl win over Tennessee, Lee and Connor combined to get the play of the game underway. With the Vols at the Lions' 14 in a 10-10 game early in the fourth quarter, they forced a fumble that teammate Tony Davis scooped up and returned 88 yards for the game-winning score. Lee made six tackles with a sack in the 20-10 win over the No. 17 Vols. Lee was on the field for 823 snaps, led by 84 against Illinois. He was selected Academic All-Big Ten.
2005 Freshman Season
The coaching staff couldn't keep the talented Lee off the field, as he made his collegiate debut against Ohio State in the prime time thriller in Beaver Stadium. He made a tackle in the huge 17-10 win over the Buckeyes and played in the final seven games, recording 11 tackles. He made a season-high five stops against Florida State in a strong performance in the FedEx Orange Bowl. Lee earned the most extensive playing time (49 snaps) of his rookie season after Paul Posluszny left the game with a knee injury. His efforts helped the Nittany Lions hold Florida State to 12 first downs, 26 rushing yards and three-of-17 third-down conversions. He also made four tackles at Illinois. He was on the field for 163 plays over the last seven games. Lee earned Dean's List recognition during the fall semester.
High School
Lee's career likely earned him legendary status among the long line of outstanding players who have played for Coach Jim Render at Upper St. Clair HS. A first-team Associated Press Class AAAA all-state selection, Lee was the 2005 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette High School Male Athlete-of-the-Year and was honored at the prestigious Dapper Dan Dinner in 2006. He also was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 and played in the 2005 Big 33 Classic against Ohio. USC combined to go 31-4 during his three years as a starter, including 11-1 as a senior. He ran for 1,240 yards and 21 touchdowns on 187 carries for a superlative 6.6 average and posted 95 tackles and four interceptions at safety during his senior season. He made 23 tackles and returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown in a Western Pennsylvania district AAAA semifinal game against Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The outstanding athlete also excelled on the basketball floor, leading the Panthers to a 75-12 record in three seasons as a starter. During his senior season, he averaged 21.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 3.2 assists per game to lead USC to the Western Pennsylvania district AAAA title. Lee is one of a select few athletes in the past 25 years to be selected to the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 football team and the Fabulous Five basketball team. An outstanding student, Lee graduated from Upper St. Clair with a 3.70 grade-point average.
Personal
Full name is Sean Patrick Lee. He has an older brother, Conor, who is a place-kicker for the University of Pittsburgh. Lee is a finance major and owned a 3.29 grade-point average through the spring semester. Born July 22, 1986.
