| Joe Suhey |
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Joe Suhey is a fourth-generation Nittany Lion who hails from arguably the "First Family" of Penn State football. A talented and hard-working athlete, Suhey did an exemplary job as a member of the foreign team in 2007, as he took a redshirt season to preserve his freshman eligibility. With Evan Royster the only returning running back that has earned any significant playing time, Suhey is looking to continue to improve and crack the backfield rotation. He earned team MVP, all-conference and all-area honors at Loyola Academy and was honorable-mention all-state. His father, Matt, was a standout running back at Penn State from 1976-79, rushing for 2,818 yards, good for No. 9 on the school career list, and 26 touchdowns before starting a lengthy career with the NFL Chicago Bears. Joe Suhey's great grandfather, Bob Higgins, was the second All-American in Penn State football history, earning the honor in 1915 and again in 1919, and later served as head coach from 1930-48. That gives the Higgins-Suhey family 92 years of involvement with the Penn State program of the 121 seasons it has existed, prior to this season. Joe's grandfather, Steve Suhey, was a letterman at guard in 1942 and again in 1946-47, earning All-America honors his senior season. He married one of Bob Higgins' daughters, Ginger. Three of their sons, Paul, Larry and Matt, played for Penn State in the 1970s.
2007 Freshman Season
Redshirt season. Suhey scored a touchdown and gained 17 yards on six carries in the 2008 Blue-White game.
High School
Suhey was a standout player at Loyola Academy. His high school coach was John Holecek, a former Buffalo Bills linebacker. As a receiver, Suhey made touchdown receptions of 25, 35 and 45 yards. He earned team MVP, all-conference and all-area honors and was honorable-mention all-state. He also was a three-year starter for the basketball team and a team captain. He played with Michael Jordan's two sons, Jeff and Marcus, at Loyola Academy.
Personal
Full name is Joseph Steven Suhey. He is the son of Matt and Donna Suhey. He has one brother, Scotty, and a sister, Allison. His father was a standout running back at Penn State from 1976-79, rushing for 2,818 yards, good for No. 9 on the school career list, and 26 touchdowns before starting a lengthy career with the NFL Chicago Bears. His mother also is a Penn State graduate. Joe's great-grandfather, Bob Higgins, was the second All-American in Penn State football history, receiving the honor in 1915 and again in 1919, and later served as head coach from 1930-48. Joe's grandfather, Steve Suhey, was a letterman at guard in 1942 and again in 1946-47, earning All-America honors his senior season. He married one of Bob Higgins' daughters, Ginger. Three of their sons, Paul, Larry and Matt, played for Penn State in the 1970s. One of Joe's first cousins, Kevin Suhey, was a quarterback and special teams player for the Nittany Lions from 2005-07 and graduated in May. Joe Suhey is interested in a career in business. Born May 30, 1989 in Chicago, Ill.
