Brandon Short is considered by many to be the top defensive football player in the country.

His final high school game was the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state final on Dec. 10, 1994.

It turned out to be his finest game.

Short, an offensive guard/linebacker, will bring his talents, 6-foot-4-inch, 260-pound frame and 4.7-second time in the 40-yard dash to State College next fall.

"I feel Penn State is the best place in the country," he said. "It's a great program and it is in my home state. I was pretty much set on my ways about going to Penn State. When I was a sophomore, I went to a Penn State summer camp, and from that point on, I knew I wanted to go there."

Short was named most valuable player in the state final thanks to his 21 tackles -- two behind the line of scrimmage -- and two forced fumbles.

He made two huge tackles on a pivotal goal-line stand to help McKeesport defeat Downingtown, 17-14.

Some people said it was the best performance ever by a high school football player.

"Brandon stepped up. He played one of his best games ever," said McKeesport Coach George Smith, who has coached at McKeesport for 13 years. "He knew he had to perform well, and he did."

Although Short may have played his best game to date, he was not totally satisfied with his own performance. He was more concerned with helping McKeesport win its first state title.

"Winning the state championship and being a part of this team was definitely the highlight of my career," he said. "I made some mistakes. I probably could've played better. I'm glad we were able to stop a tough Downingtown team to win the title."

Last season, Short helped lead McKeesport to a 15-0 record. At offensive guard, he helped create holes for halfback Jermaine Cromerdie, who rushed for over 1,200 yards.

On the defensive side, Short chalked up 117 solo tackles, 43 assists, seven sacks, caused five fumbles, recovered three fumbles and intercepted two passes.

Against Downingtown, Short went head-to-head with another Penn State recruit -- Aaron Harris, a 5-foot-11-inch, 220-pound running back who rushed for over 100 yards in the title game and smacked heads frequently with his future teammate.

Harris was able to attest firsthand to Short's outstanding game.

"He's a good player. He's very disciplined," Harris said. "When we played him, he was all over the field. He definitely played like a champ."

Short and Harris are just two of nine Pennsylvania players expected to sign letters of intent today with the Lions. These two high school gridiron stars from opposite ends of the state have respect for each other's talent.

"(Harris is) tough, he's the best player I've ever played against," Short said. "He's a hard runner, and he's got speed. I look forward to being his teammate."

Short was named Associated Press Pennsylvania Big-School Player of the Year, was a finalist for the Pennsylvania Big 33 Player of the Year and was named to the Parade High School All-American Team.

"Player of the year was definitely a goal of mine and I got it," Short said. "It's unusual for a defensive player to win it."

And he won it because his fine performance in the state finals was not the only game where he played big. He made stellar plays all season long.

"I remember against Connellsville, the quarterback slipped and Short was there to pick up the ball," Smith said. "He ran 42 yards for a touchdown. We won the game by one touchdown."

But it is Short's hunger to be involved in every play, his desire to win and his determination to perform at his best that drives his mammoth frame.

"I'm aggressive and I want to be in on every play," Short said. "But I know I won't be in on every play, so I guess I'll never be satisfied."