By Darin How does a lightly recruited linebacker from a small New York town become the heart of a national championship defense? For Penn State, Shane Conlan was the answer. Known for his legendary performance in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl—where he intercepted Vinny Testaverde twice to secure a national title—Conlan embodied the grit and intelligence of the Nittany Lions’ “Linebacker U.” From his consensus All-American honors in State College to a trophy-laden start with the Buffalo Bills, this is the story of a defensive mastermind who lived for the big game.
Football Bio
March 4, 1964 – Frewsburg, New York – The stud linebacker of the Penn State Nittany Lions from 1983 through 1986, Shane Conlan was born. Shane, according to the NFF’s bio, was a 1986 Consensus First-Team All-American and a finalist for the Butkus Award.
Conlan recorded eight tackles and two interceptions in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl over Miami (Fla.) to give Penn State the national title. In two different seasons, Shane led the Penn State defense in tackles, and he finished off his collegiate career ranked second on the Lions’ All-Time tackles list with 274, and his 183 solo tackles still rank third in school history.
The National Football Foundation selected the name of Shane Conlan for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. After graduation, Shane became the 8th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 1987 NFL Draft. The linebacker played six seasons with the Bills and three for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams before retiring after the 1995 season. Conlan was the 1987 Rookie of the Year and a three-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection who played in three straight Super Bowls with the Bills.
Conclusion
Shane Conlan’s legacy is defined by his uncanny ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes were highest. Whether it was stifling the “high-flying” Miami Hurricanes in the desert or leading the Buffalo Bills’ defense during their historic AFC dominance, Conlan was a model of consistency and tough-nosed football. His 183 solo tackles at Penn State stood as a school record for two decades, and his rapid transition to the NFL—earning Rookie of the Year honors—cemented his status as one of the most natural linebackers to ever play the game.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2014.
- National Champion: 1986 (Penn State).
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1986.
- Two-Time First-Team All-American: 1985 (NEA), 1986.
- Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP: 1987 (Recorded 8 tackles and 2 INTs).
- Butkus Award Finalist: 1986.
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: 1987 (Associated Press).
- 3× Pro Bowl Selection: 1988, 1989, 1990.
- 3× Second-Team All-Pro: 1987, 1988, 1990 (Associated Press).
- Buffalo Bills 50th Anniversary Team: Honored as one of the franchise’s greatest players.
- Rams Team MVP (Daniel F. Reeves Award): 1994.
