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."
