| Stefen Wisniewski |
|
|
Simply put, Stefen Wisniewski is maximizing his opportunities as a Penn State student-athlete. The first Nittany Lion true freshman offensive lineman to start a game since center Joe Iorio in 1999, Wisniewski has emerged as a physical, productive and instinctive offensive lineman in his first two seasons in Happy Valley. With the graduation of three all-conference starters from the O-Line, Wisniewski spent the off-season transitioning to the center position after playing guard the past two seasons, including 12 starts in 2008. Like his transition into collegiate academics and athletics, Wisniewski's move to center has been seamless. The highly-skilled, intelligent and physical student-athlete is poised to anchor and join senior tackle Dennis Landolt in leading an inexperienced unit in 2009. Despite not having played center at Penn State, Wisniewski's talents and productivity are evident, as he received preseason first-team All-Big Ten recognition from Phil Steele's 2009 College Football and preseason third-team All-America notice by Athlon Sports College Football. He has worked hard to improve his skills and strength in his initial two years. The talented and driven Wisniewski also is among Penn State's most accomplished and community service-oriented student-athletes. A student in the Schreyer Honors College, he brought a 3.87 cumulative grade-point average in secondary education into the summer, having compiled a perfect 4.0 grade-point average during the 2009 spring and 2007 fall semesters. Wisniewski was selected a 2008 second-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American®, one of a program-record five Nittany Lions so honored last season. He will be a strong candidate to earn first-team honors this year. One of the squad's most active members in community service, Wisniewski has participated in the Student-Athlete Advisory Board's Autism Awareness reading program, THON Make-A-Wish program, Pennsylvania Special Olympics State Summer Games, Habitat for Humanity, Athletic Directors Leadership Institute, Athletes In Action, The Second Mile and other activities. A U.S. Army All-American at Central Catholic HS, Wisniewski was on the field for 748 snaps last year, third-highest among all returnees. Wisniewski is another Nittany Lion with strong family ties to the program. His father, Leo, was a standout for the Lions, lettering from 1979-81, and playing four years with the NFL's Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts. An uncle, Steve Wisniewski, was a two-time first-team All-America guard during his outstanding Penn State career (1985-88) and was selected All-Pro eight times during his 13-year NFL career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. One of 10 returning Nittany Lions from western Pennsylvania, Wisniewski should have a significant impact on the fortunes of the Nittany Lion offense the next two seasons.
2008 Sophomore Season
Wisniewski started 12 games at guard, playing an instrumental role in Penn State ranking in the Top 20 nationally in rushing (17th, 205.8 ypg), total offense (14th, 448.9 ypg) and scoring offense (11th, 38.9 ppg) in 2008. Eleven of his starts were at right guard. The Nittany Lions led the Big Ten in total and scoring offense, were second in rushing and third in passing offense (243.1 ypg). Wisniewski earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in helping pave the way for Evan Royster to become Penn State's fourth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher (three different players). He also was key in helping Penn State lead the Big Ten and rank No. 4 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed last season with 13. Wisniewski helped the Lions gain more than 400 yards 10 times, including 410 against Southern California, the nation's No. 1-ranked defense, in the 2009 Rose Bowl, with four games above 500 yards. Penn State posted seven games with more than 200 rushing yards, led by 334 against Coastal Carolina. The Nittany Lions ran behind the line to tally seven rushing touchdowns in the season-opener, the most since scoring seven against Michigan State in 2002. At Syracuse, the O-line led the charge as Penn State delivered 393 yards in the first half, averaging 8.0 yards per play en route to the 55-13 win. The durable Wisniewski was on the field for 748 plays, led by 74 at Syracuse and 73 against Illinois. Wisniewski was selected a 2008 second-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American®, one of a program-record five Nittany Lions so honored in 2008. He also earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades and delivered a perfect 4.00 GPA during the 2009 spring semester.
2007 Freshman Season
Wisniewski played in eight games and was joined by linebacker Chris Colasanti as the only true freshmen to earn time on the field. He was named to The Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten team. Wisniewski played in each of the last seven games, making his collegiate debut against Buffalo. One month later, he made his first career start in the 36-31 win at Indiana, getting the nod at right guard. He became the first Penn State true freshman offensive lineman to start since center Joe Iorio in 1999. Wisniewski helped the Nittany Lions rush for 192 yards and pass for 197 in the important road win over Indiana. He saw action on 230 snaps, led by 42 in the Alamo Bowl win over Texas A&M, as he helped the Lions run for a season-high 270 yards. He compiled a perfect 4.0 grade-point average during the 2007 fall semester.
High School
A standout player for Coach Terry Trotten at Central Catholic HS, Wisniewski was selected a U.S. Army All American his senior season. He was a two-time first-team all-state honoree. He was named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 team and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25, as well as earning All-Western Pennsylvania honors. He was rated the No. 5 overall prep player in Pennsylvania by Rivals.com, as well as the No. 8 guard in the nation. He also was a member of the wrestling team. Wisniewski was selected to the National Honor Society.
Personal
Full name is Stefen David Wisniewski. He is the son of Leo and Cindy Wisniewski and has one sister, Sarah. His father was a standout defensive lineman for the Lions, lettering from 1979-81 and serving as a tri-captain in 1981. He was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft and played four seasons with Baltimore/Indianapolis. An uncle, Steve Wisniewski, was a two-time first-team All-America guard during his Penn State career (1985-88) and was selected All-Pro eight times in his 13 years with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. In his free time, Stefen enjoys reading and working out. He is interested in pursuing a career in teaching and coaching or in the ministry. Wisniewski is one of the squad's premier students, compiling a perfect 4.0 grade-point average during the 2009 spring and 2007 fall semesters in the Schreyer Honors College. He was selected a 2008 second-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American® and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. He also is active in community service activities. Born March 22, 1989 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
