‘Linebacker U’ is still well intact at Penn State, junior LB Ellis Brooks says
Schools around the country lay claim to “Position U” monikers as a point of pride in their development of a certain position.
LSU and Florida both claim “DBU” for their prowess in recruiting and developing defensive backs, while former Georgia running back — and current Atlanta Falcon — Todd Gurley staked his alma mater’s claim to “RBU” over schools like Alabama and LSU.
But according to Penn State’s Ellis Brooks, there’s still only one “Linebacker U.”
“We do take (the moniker) seriously,” the junior linebacker told the media Thursday morning. “Other schools can say what they want to say. We’ve got the history to back it up. We’re gonna keep producing. It’s not done yet. LBU continues. It was before I (was) here and it’s gonna be here after. We’re gonna keep building on it.”
The Nittany Lions have plenty of talent in the room right now to back Brooks’ claim up. Junior Micah Parsons is leading the way as a top-five overall prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft. Parsons is a former five-star recruit who has met — and in some cases exceeded — the high expectations that come with the notoriety of being a five-star recruit.
He’s the clear standout in a room of standouts, and Brooks said there isn’t anything the star linebacker can’t do.
“I think our room is loaded,” Brooks said. “Micah, you got somebody that’s big, athletic, makes plays. One of the top players in the country.”
Parsons’ likely departure after the 2020 season for the NFL won’t set the room back, either. He’s one of four former five-star recruits in the room, and Brooks said the younger players are primed to carry the “LBU” moniker forward.
The Nittany Lions brought in two of those four five-star linebacker recruits in the 2019 class in sophomore Brandon Smith and redshirt freshman Lance Dixon. Brooks praised his younger teammates for the progress they’ve made and believes they’ll carry the standard forward at the position.
“Lance has gotten bigger. He’s moving great, (I’m) excited to see what he can do,” Brooks said. “(Brandon) has always been a gifted athlete. I think it’s really just been perfecting his craft at the linebacker position. ... They definitely have the ability to take the LBU mantra to the next level.
The fourth five-star recruit, true freshman Curtis Jacobs, has yet to take the field with his teammates on Saturdays but has plenty of talent to keep the tradition rolling after his older teammates eventually move to the next level.
Brooks will gladly hype up his teammates and their talents, but declined to do the same for himself.
“For me personally, I’m gonna let my play do the talking,” he said.
Now it’s a matter of when Brooks and the other linebackers will get their chance to prove how good they are.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has left a sense of uncertainty surrounding the season and when — and even if — it will start on time. Brooks is confident he and his teammates will get their chance whenever it’s deemed safe to do so.
“I know we’re going to play when we’re supposed to play,” Brooks said. “I know the NCAA, the Big Ten, everybody has got our best interest at heart.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 2:46 PM.
