Former Nittany Lions Make Huge Paydays with their NFL Contacts

Penn State has become the undisputed, sole proprietor of Edge Rusher U. The best pass rushers in Americta go to Penn State, and when they do, they go to the NFL and get paid.

Currently in the NFL, three of the top contracts in the League are in the hands of former Nittany Lions.

As it stands right now, the new contract that Micah Parsons signed after he was traded by the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers is the biggest contract in the league for edge rushers. He is earning a total of $26 million more than all-time great Myles Garrett, a total of $6.5 million more per year.

Joining Parsons on this list is fellow Nittany Lion Odafe Oweh. Oweh is technically classified as a linebaker in the NFL and is paid as the fourth-highest-paid linebacker at that. Oweh is the fourth highest in terms of total contract value at $96 million and the third highest in terms of AVV at $24 million guaranteed.

The last highest earner on that list falls as an "interior" defensive lineman, and that is New York Giant Abdul Carter. Carter is a terror for opposing quarterbacks and is still on his rookie deal. 

That deal has him making a total value of $45.2 million, but with an AVV of just $11 million. 

Value up front on the defensive line is solely determined by the ability to tackle the quarterback. That is the most valued skill in today's day and age, and the ability to do that simply means more money in the bank account. 

For the former Nittany Lions, there is a ton of money in the pockets as is. The Nittany Lion defense has rarely been the problem. For the most part, Penn State's defense has truly been good enough in most years. However, it is always the same story of the offense letting them down. 

Year after year, era after era, it is the same story. Penn State has some incredible players on defense, but its offense leaves a ton to be desired. 

Regardless if it equates to wins or not, the best defenders at Penn State get paid at the next level and get paid handsomely. 

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