| Michael Mauti |
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Coming off an impressive true freshman campaign, Michael Mauti built on last season by making considerable progress during winter conditioning and into the spring. The hard work and efforts he has displayed since the Rose Bowl convinced the coaching staff to present Mauti with the 2009 Jim O'Hora Award, given to the defense's most improved player during spring practice. A multi-talented and intelligent student-athlete, Mauti is a gifted linebacker who should be a strong challenger for a starting assignment despite the return of three returning starters. He finished spring drills No. 2 on the depth chart to senior Sean Lee at one of the outside spots, but has the skills, tenacity and instincts to emerge as a starter at any of the three linebacker positions. Playing in every game last season on defense and special teams, he made 26 tackles. Mauti is best known amongst the Penn State faithful for the crushing hit he laid on Michigan's Sam McGuffie on a kickoff return, forcing a fumble. Mauti's highlight-reel hit sparked the Nittany Lion defense and the 110,017 blue and white clad fans in Beaver Stadium. His season-high seven tackles, including one for a two-yard loss, allowed Penn State to recover from a 10-point deficit to thump the Wolverines, 46-17. The former Mandeville HS All-American has quickly demonstrated he has the potential to emerge as the next "Linebacker U." standout and should be a significant contributor the next three seasons. He is a potential Academic All-Big Ten candidate this fall. Michael and his older brother, Patrick, are the latest brother tandem to play for Joe Paterno, who also coached their father, Rich, in the mid-1970s.
2008 Freshman Season
Mauti proved to be an immediate asset for the defense and special teams after graduating from high school early and enrolling in the University in January 2008. One of three true freshmen to play in every game, he made 26 tackles, with one minus-yardage stop and a fumble hit. He made a season-high seven tackles against Michigan, including one for a two-yard loss. He delivered one of the biggest hits of the season when he leveled Wolverine Sam McGuffie on a kickoff return, forcing a fumble. The Wolverines recovered the pigskin, but Mauti's hit charged the Nittany Lion defense and faithful in erasing a 10-0 deficit to win, 46-17. Mauti also made three stops in the wins over Indiana and Michigan State and had two hits in four other games. Mauti saw action on 249 snaps, led by 33 against the Wolverines and 30 against Southern California in the Rose Bowl. He made four tackles in the 2009 Blue-White game and was the recipient of the Jim O'Hora Award, presented to the defense's most improved player during spring practice.
High School
A hard-hitting linebacker for Coach Guy LeCompte at Mandeville HS, Mauti was selected to the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He finished his senior season with 121 tackles, 24 for loss, with four sacks. He also caused four turnovers, including two forced fumbles and two interceptions, which he returned for touchdowns. He was ranked among the ESPN.com Top 150 recruits in the nation and was a Top 20 inside linebacker by Rivals.com.
Personal
Full name is Michael D. Mauti. He is the son of Rich and Nancy Mauti. He has an older brother, Patrick, and sister, Rachel. Patrick is a senior wide receiver for the Nittany Lions. Their father was a letterman at Penn State in 1975 and '76 as a wide receiver and played for the National Football League New Orleans Saints (1977-83) and Washington Redskins (1984). Michael is enrolled in the College of the Liberal Arts. Born January 19, 1990 in New Orleans, La.
Michael Mauti's 2008 Game-by-Game
Tackles (Total-Solo-Assists)
Coastal Carolina 1-1-0; Oregon State 1-0-1; Syracuse 1-1-0; Temple 0-0-0; Illinois 2-1-1; Purdue 1-1-0; Wisconsin 2-1-1; Michigan 7-4-3; Ohio State 1-0-1; Iowa 2-0-2; Indiana 3-0-3; Michigan State 3-2-1; USC 2-1-1.
