In joining Charlie’s Top PSU moments, we’ve added another daily countdown feature here at quebecpenspinning. We’ll be measuring up the 50 most important players to Penn State’s success in the 2009 season.

Checking in at #41 is one of those guys who you just love to watch play the game: Nate Stupar.

Number: 34
Position: Outside Linebacker
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6′1
Weight: 226
Hometown: State College, PA
How’d He Get Here: From the beginning, Nate Stupar was as close to a lock as there could be in favor of Penn State.  First, you had the fact that he grew up almost literally in the shadow of Beaver Stadium, playing his high school games across town at State High.  Throw in the fact that literally just about everyone in his family went to (and played football for) the Nittany Lions (his dad, four uncles-one of whom was future NFL QB Jeff Hostetler-and even a cousin who played field hockey) and it would have been nearly impossible to imagine Stupar heading anywhere other than Happy Valley for college.  Of course, all the other regional schools threw their offers at the 4-star prospect, who was twice named to the All-Pennsylvania team, but it was a losing battle from the beginning for Maryland, Rutgers, UVA, and Pitt, as Stupar committed to the Lions early in the 2007 recruiting process
2008 Results: After an initial redshirt season, Stupar finally got out onto the field last year and instantly added an injection of excitement whenever he saw playing time.  Whether it was on special teams, where Stupar recorded at least two blocked punts while challenging numerous others, made great tackles in space on kick coverage, and laid some big blocks to open up return lanes, (and also absolutely laid out Oregon State’s punter after a bad snap) or in his limited reps at linebacker, Stupar kept up a high intensity balls-to-the-wall style of play that immediately endeared him to the Nittany Lion faithful.  He ended up with 21 tackles on the year in 2008, with 1 sack and a couple of passes defensed, seeing time in all 13 games for the Lions.
What to Expect in 2009: Stupar should see plenty of playing time for the Lions, as he looks to be the top reserve linebacker on the team.  He will continue to flourish as a special teams ace, where his all-out ferocity can pay especially big dividends.  With a depleted group of defensive ends, due to the departures of Maurice Evans, Josh Gaines, and Aaron Maybin, it wouldn’t be an absolute shock to see Stupar get some reps at end, especially in the stand-up variety.  Either way, the more Stupe plays, the more adherents he will have who, like myself, consider Stupar as their favorite Nittany Lion.
Random Facts: What can’t you like about this kid?  He graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA, and should join the growing list of Penn State academic All-Americans in the future.  He played 3 sports in high school including lacrosse, like Evan Royster.  Also, his mom’s name is Cher.  Cool.
The Final Word: I won’t make it any secret that I am a huge fan of Stupar, and I’ve probably made that annoyingly clear in this write-up.  He’s not a starter, and he’s not necessarily one of the most important players for Penn State’s success next year.  But even as a freshman last year, Stupar took charge of the special teams units.  He’s evolving into a leader quickly, and he’ll get his moment in the sun, probably as early as next year.  He’s one of those kids who deserves all the good things that come to him, and will reciprocate success with more and more hard work.