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For linebacker Tyrell Sales, the opportunity to become a significant contributor for the nationally ranked defense is at hand. With the graduation of All-American Paul Posluszny and the possible move of Dan Connor to the inside, the competition for one of the outside linebacker spots has been underway for several months and will continue into the season. The former Butler Area HS standout likely will battle Navorro Bowman for a berth with the first unit. He made a strong statement in his bid for the position last spring with his stellar, game-high 11-tackle performance in the Blue-White game. Regardless of whether he earns the first-team nod or not, Sales will play an integral role on and be a valuable contributor for the defense in 2007. A superb athlete with good size, speed, strength and instincts, he will help advance the "Linebacker U." legend and do his part to help keep Penn State at the top among the nation's premier linebacker units. Sales was born on January 1, 1986, the day the fifth of Joe Paterno's seven teams to compile an unbeaten regular-season battled Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl for the national championship. Also an accomplished student, Sales has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors the past two years. The intelligent and intense Sales is one of 13 returning Nittany Lions from Western Pennsylvania.
2006 Junior Season
Sales played in every game on defense and special teams, recording 17 tackles (10 solo). He was the top reserve to All-American Dan Connor at one of the outside linebacker posts. Sales made a season-high seven tackles in the shutout of Temple and added two stops each against Youngstown State, Northwestern and Illinois. He saw action on 166 snaps, topped by 23 against Temple.
2005 Sophomore Season
In his first season on the field, Sales played in every game, earning three starts at middle linebacker. He exhibited a great deal of promise, recording 19 tackles (10 solo) with two tackles for losses (minus-four) and one pass breakup. Sales made a season-high eight stops (five solo) against Cincinnati, including a TFL. He also had three hits in the big 17-10 win over Ohio State and the season-opening win over South Florida, which also included a minus-yardage play. Sales gained significant experience, playing on 199 snaps, led by 42 in starts against South Florida and Cincinnati. He also earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades.
2004 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. In the Blue-White game, Sales tied for game-high honors with seven tackles, including a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup.
High School
Sales earned multiple all-county, All-Western Pennsylvania district and all-conference awards for Coach Garry Cathell at Butler Area HS. A three-year starter, as a senior he made 98 tackles, with 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. During his career, he made 265 tackles and had 20 sacks and five interceptions. He was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fab 22 and the Harrisburg Patriot-News Platinum 33. Sales was team captain, won the YMCA Scholar-Athlete Award and played in the 2004 Big 33 Classic. Sales also starred in track and basketball. He placed third in Pennsylvania in the discus and was an all-section pick on the basketball court, where he scored more than 1,200 points during his career.
Personal
Full name is Tyrell Alexander Sales. He is the son of Tom and Tamara Sales and has a younger sister, TeAndra. Sales is a marketing major in the Smeal College of Business, earning Academic All-Big Ten accolades in 2005 and '06. Born January 1, 1986 in Butler, Pa.
