Penn State has always been about linebackers.

They have defined the program to a degree that is eclipsed only by a certain bespectacled coach who stalks Beaver Stadium's sidelines.

When you think Penn State football, there are certain things that naturally come to mind. Paterno, nameless jerseys, black cleats and linebackers.

Jack Ham, Shane Conlan, Andre Collins, LaVar Arrington.

Yet as Penn State has slipped out of the upper echelon of college football in the last few years, the once proud tradition of the Penn State linebacker seemed in danger of dying out, but seemingly just in the nick of time, the Nittany Lions have a new group of 'backers who seem both intent on and capable of restoring the luster to a slightly tarnished legacy.

"It's a huge thing for us just because we know all the great guys who have come before us, and to not try our hardest would be a disservice to them," rising junior outside linebacker Paul Posluszny said. "If we didn't try to uphold that, then we would be stamping on the tradition that is Penn State."

Though in many ways the focus of next fall's Nittany Lion squad will be on seniors like Alan Zemaitis and Michael Robinson, no unit will be watched more closely than the linebacking corps of Posluszny, rising sophomore Dan Connor and rising junior Tim Shaw.

Not that they are inclined to bask in their own glow.

"It's a coincidence that the corps ended up like we are," Connor said. "We are definitely not the stereotype for what a linebacker is. Maybe that's what makes us unique. We're kind of straight shooters, soft-spoken guys."

Off the field, that may be true. But on the field, the trio has already impressed fans in their individual young careers with a hard-nosed style of play that embodies everything a Penn State linebacker is supposed to be.

Posluszny led the Lions in tackles last year, notching 104 while starting every game and is on pace to become one of the all-time statistical greats at Linebacker U.

The 2004 second-team All-Big Ten selection has made 140 tackles through his first two seasons and that ranks him ahead of Penn State luminaries Conlan and Brandon Short. This is not a fact that is lost on him.

When Conlan's old number, 31, came open after Posluszny's freshman season, he jumped at the chance to wear the jersey.

Incidentally, Posluszny works out at the same gym as Conlan in the offseason, the YMCA in Sewickley.

This desire to live up to Penn State's great linebacker tradition also motivates Shaw and Connor.

"It's not about getting my own notoriety. I just don't want to be the weak link," Shaw said. "I just look at it as where we are. When someone brings it up it means something to me, there is just a great tradition of linebackers that have played here."

Posluszny said that this spring has been a chance to focus on technique, and that using that as an emphasis has helped the entire corps because in the past they have been a group that played largely using instinct.

"He's been doing a lot better than he was last year from a technique standpoint," Posluszny said of Shaw. "He's more confident and more comfortable playing linebacker this year."

Shaw played well when he was on the field last season, but a nagging ankle injury limited his playing time and allowed for the emergence of Connor.

The freshman made the most of his opportunities and quickly became a fan favorite because of his aggressive style and ferocious tackling.

Connor made 85 tackles and was named freshman All-American by The Sporting News, but he is quick to give credit to the more experienced members of the corps.

"[Posluszny] is definitely the toughest linebacker I've ever played with or ever seen," Connor said. "He gets stingers in practice, and he's screaming, but he refuses to go out. He's a great athlete and competitor he goes out every time to get better and to win games."

Which is a good thing because linebackers at Penn State are expected to do nothing less.