Have you ever wondered where some of your favorite Penn Staters are following their days of being a Nittany Lion?
When you hear Penn State sports, you know it’s a pretty big deal. So it’s not a big surprise when former Nittany Lions pop up playing professionally across the country and around the world.
So what has happened to some of your favorite Penn State athletes? What actually happens once former athletes leave Happy Valley? Do players pursue the work field or playing field?
Where are they now? Let’s talk Penn State Football.
For some it came easy, but for others it was a gruesome and slow journey.
His sophomore season was cut short due to injury but the NCAA granted Wake a medical redshirt which meant he was able to preserve his sophomore eligibility status.
The next two seasons he earned a starting position at weak side linebacker, which had NFL scouts talking. Wake racked up a total of 122 tackles, seven and a half sacks, 18 tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and a total of five blocked kicks.
The 2005 NFL Draft came and Wake never heard his name called but as soon as the draft ended teams started to contact him. The New York Giants signed a deal with Wake, however the short lived dreamed of playing in the NFL came to a quick stop. The Giants released him in June, just about under a month before the start of training camp.
2006 was a long year for Wake. He would describe it felt like he was doing nothing, as he watched everyone in his family continue with their everyday lives. The NFL was still a goal, so to remain in premier football shape he became an intern at a nearby gym and served as a personal trainer. But it was not enough so decided to pursue all his commitment to training for the pro’s.
Once again, hard work paid off. He received a free agent offer from the CFL’s B.C. Lions. Though he would be playing in a foreign league, it was better than nothing. His contract was worth around $48,000, and gave Wake a platform to showcase his worthiness to NFL scouts and open up potential opportunities to further his football career. In the first week of his new career alone, he gave opposing offensive linemen nightmares as he racked up seven tackles and three sacks. Wake also earned himself a CFL All-Star Team selection, which is equivalent to a spot in the Pro Bowl.
This was just the tip of the iceberg.
Teams were showing interest and he even worked out with the teams, but the one to stick out most was with the Miami Dolphins. Just three days after working with the team, the Dolphins offered him a four-year contract worth up to $4.9 million with a $1 million signing bonus.
Unlike his first time around entering the NFL, this was for good. Wake’s determination eventually made him the most feared pass rushers in the NFL. Since entering the league, Wake has moved onto the defensive line and has completed up to 237 total tackles, 60 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles which could explain why Miami’s defense constantly finds itself in the top 10 in sacks each year.
In 2012, Wake signed a four-year $49 million extension, $20 million of which was guaranteed. He even moved around positions and arguably had his best season in the NFL due to earning 53 tackles and 15 sacks, including 4.5 in one game alone against the Arizona Cardinals.
The 2013 and 2014 were no different. He put up great statlines and progressively became an even better and respected player amongst other players, coaches, and fans.
As far as the 2015 season, the Dolphins were not doing so hot at the beginning of the year, but after Miami fired and replaced Joe Philbin, their head coach, things turned around and for the better. Perhaps Miami saw things from a new perspective and as a new beginning. Wake soon returned to his dominant form and recorded four forced fumbles and six sacks in a two-week span. While playing the New England Patriots, Wake earned his seventh sack, a solid second on the NFL leaderboard, but got injured and carried off the field.
Not only did Wake not give up on the play, but he managed to push a blocker aside and was ready to take on another. Fortunately for Tom Brady, the quarterback was able to get rid of the ball, because chances are he would have become the first quarterback in NFL history to be sacked by a hopping one-legged man determined to finish the play.
On Oct. 30, it was reported that due to an Achilles injury, Wake would sit for the remainder of the 2015 NFL season.
The former Penn Stater has worked his way up and earned his spot in the NFL all due to determination, eagerness, and passion. This is certainly not the end for Wake.
