Penn State had a tradition of tremendous linebackers dating to the late '60s, with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Jack Ham and two-time All-America Dennis Onkotz. The phrase "Linebacker U" became so familiar that Penn State trademarked it for the purpose of selling merchandise.

There has been no such action taken by Wayzata High School, although it could make a case for being referred to as "Linebacker High" in Minnesota prep ranks.

There was a reminder of the Trojans' linebacking excellence when A.J. Tarpley revealed Wednesday he was retiring from football after a rookie NFL season in 2015.

Tarpley was a four-year starter at Stanford. He made the Buffalo Bills roster as an undrafted free agent. He had two interceptions late in the season. He also had two concussions last season, to add to two others earlier in his football career.

A.J. made this decision to walk away independently, after researching the data on football's long-term health risks — particularly for players suffering repeated concussions.

James Laurinaitis started the lineage of linebacking excellence at Wayzata as a three-year standout from 2002 to 2004. He was a star at Ohio State. He became the leading tackler in Rams franchise history (dating to 1936) in seven seasons in St. Louis.

Laurinaitis and junior Tommy Becker were standouts on Wayzata's state runner-up in 2004. Becker was recruited by Glen Mason's Gophers staff.

"There were college recruiters saying Tommy had as much ability at linebacker as James," Wayzata coach Brad Anderson said. "Tim Brewster came in, Tommy didn't fit with him at all, and decided to go enjoy football again at St. Thomas."

Jeff Schuette was a standout on Wayzata's 2006 state champions. Tarpley and Grant Olson, a terrific middle linebacker for three North Dakota State championship teams, were junior stars on the 2008 state champions.

Chris Wipson was a sophomore on the 2010 state champions and wound up being recruited by the Gophers. He left the program after the bowl game last December.

The Trojans have another linebacker — Justin Wolk — drawing the interest of recruiters as he enters his senior season.

Linebacker High. It fits.

PLUS THREE FROM PATRICK

UCLA has become a rival to Penn State's "Linebacker U" label. Here's why:

• Anthony Barr, 6-5 and 255 pounds, No. 9 pick in 2014 draft for Vikings: 138 tackles, 7½ sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception in 26 starts.

• Eric Kendricks, 6 feet and 235, No. 45 pick in 2015 draft for Vikings: 92 tackles, four sacks, in 14 games (11 starts).

• Myles Jack, 6-1 and 225, projected top-five pick in 2016 draft: Jack is being called a "faster Ray Lewis" and will be long gone before Vikings can put together a UCLA trio at linebacker.

Read Patrick Reusse's blog at startribune.com/patrick. E-mail him at preusse@startribune.com.