Devon Still is introduced prior to the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. (Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE)

It’s said that strong winds make the best sailors. If that’s the case, consider former Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still one of the best “sailors” in the 2012 NFL draft.

If you read into the Penn State association, you already assume that Still withstood the Jerry Sandusky scandal, and the death of  longtime head coach Joe Paterno. Those obstacles were the proverbial icing on the hardship cake for Still.

“I’ve been through a lot since I’ve been at Penn Sate, but that just helped me grow mentally,” Still said Saturday afternoon. “There’s a lot of obstacles that I’ve already faced. I think that’s going to benefit me a lot moving on.”

Still tore his ACL and MCL in his first season at Penn State and then broke his ankle in his second season. Two years on the team and just one game played doesn’t exactly set the tone for an NFL career. Add to that the fact that Still became a first-time father to daughter, Leah, in April 2010. Those circumstances would have knocked many a player off the NFL track. Oh, what a difference confidence makes.

“I think hands down I’m the best defensive tackle in this draft,” Still said. “I was able to take over a lot of games this season. Just the production I had, I was able to disrupt plays even if I wasn’t making tackles or sacks.”

Widely considered as the best defensive tackle in this year’s draft by analysts, Still probably won’t be on the draft board when the Broncos select with the No. 25 pick. If he somehow slipped down the board, the Broncos would gobble him up in an instant. The 6’5,” 302 pound Still had 55 tackles (17 for a loss) and 4.5 sacks his senior year.

He would be an asset to anyone’s run defense, especially the Broncos because they already have the pass rush. You can only prepare so much for Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. Adding Still to the mix to clog the middle of the field would spell all kinds of trouble for opposing teams.
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Joe Paterno was the face of Penn State University. (AP Photo)

Longtime Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, 85, lost his battle with lung cancer. His death was announced by his family early Sunday morning.

“His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled…He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.” -ABC News 

The former coach known as “Joe Pa” was such an influential figure in the sport of football. High schoolers wanted to play for him, and many of his college players went on to play and/or coach in the NFL. His teachings transcended all levels.

Joe Pa set the record for most wins in division I history (409) and the most bowl appearances by a coach (37). He won 2 national championships in his 46 years with the university.

All of the career highlights were put on the back burner last fall, however, when the Jerry Sandusky child-sex abuse scandal came to light. Paterno was dismissed from Penn State by the school’s board of trustees.

It was shortly after that Paterno’s health really started to deteriorate. The official cause of death was metastic small cell carcinoma.

I was curious as to how many Broncos played under the legendary coach. The list of players drafted and/or who suited up for the Broncos is relatively short considering how long Paterno coached at Penn State.
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