John Nestor

Unfortunately for Penn State alumni and fans the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal has taken the spotlight far from the football field.

But when focus can return to the field, specifically in the NFL, a pair of second-year players and first-year starters are doing their best to carry on the tradition of Linebacker U. in what used to be Happy Valley.

Inside linebackers Sean Lee of the Dallas Cowboys and NaVorro Bowman of the San Francisco 49ers are key components on defenses that have helped resurrect the once-proud franchises in Dallas and San Francisco.

And those two are just the latest Nittany Lion linebackers to stand out. In recent years, Tamba Hali of the Kansas City Chiefs and Cameron Wake of the Miami Dolphins have joined the list of top pass rushers while Paul Posluzny and Dan Connor have also made names for themselves.

Lee, who played sparingly early in his rookie season because of quad and hamstring injury, was having an All-Pro season until injuring his left wrist in the first quarter of the Eagles game October 30. He missed the following week against Seattle but has played the last three weeks despite playing with a cast protecting his wrist.

At the time of his injury, Lee led all non-defensive backs in interceptions (3) and all defensive players in tackles for loss against runs (6). He was the top-ranked linebacker in the NFL according to Advanced Stats (AS) in regards to win probability added and he still ranks ninth. Lee still leads the Cowboys in tackles (42) and fumble recoveries (2).

Bowman, who played mostly on special teams for the Niners a season ago, has emerged as a force alongside All-World linebacker Patrick Willis. The duo has spearheaded a defense that ranks first in the NFL in scoring average, rushing defense and turnovers forced. San Francisco is the only team to not allow a rushing touchdown this season and has a chance to break the record for fewest rushing touchdowns allowed in a season (two).

Bowman is tied for first among all linebackers with 76 tackles, is ranked 17th overall among all linebackers by AS and second in tackle factor (ratio of tackles compared to expectations at that position).

According to ProFootballFocus.com, folks who watch video and grade players on every play, Bowman is ranked fourth overall by PFF among inside linebackers and first against the run. He leads inside linebackers with 48 stops (tackles that lead to an offensive failure).

After picking off Peyton Manning twice in a game last season, Lee picked off Tom Brady this season, joining Donnie Edwards as the only linebackers all-time to intercept both Manning and Brady.

An obsessive studier of game film, Lee has gained the coaches' confidence so much that he calls the defensive signals.

"I know how long it takes me to be ready for a game and feel comfortable," Lee told ESPNDallas.com. "For me, a guy who has to know the defense and make the calls, I want to make sure I know as much as possible.

"If you're a middle linebacker making the calls, you have to know your stuff. I want the defense to have confidence in me. That's why I study so much."

The learning began at Penn State, where Lee sponged information from two of the best, Connor and Posluszny (Conner is ranked 18th among inside linebackers by PFF and Posluszny 8th) and continued after watching Bradie James and Keith Brooking last season as a rookie.

"Not many nights when I'm walking down these halls late, late at night [and] he is not in there watching tape," head coach Jason Garrett told ESPN. "He cares a great deal about it. I think he's a natural football player. He's very instinctive. He sees things and reacts, and is able to make plays both in the run game and the pass game.

Lee led the nation in assisted tackles as a junior in 2007 but missed the entire 2008 campaign due to a torn ACL in his right knee which dropped him to the second round in 2010.

Bowman had difficulties of his own at University Park - the off-field kind that kept him on the sidelines for the early part of his career.

Bowman was charged with assault in 2007 in connection with a campus fight and while on probation reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana and being tardy in completing his mandatory community service.

But the District Heights, Maryland native received some slack from the school after the legend heard of Bowman's struggles with the sudden death of his father and high school coach. Once on the field, Bowman played excellent football in the mold of his PSU idol LaVar Arrington. He skipped his final year of eligibility and was a third-round pick by the 49ers.

"It's a cliché about, 'They're watching you,'" Bowman told the Mercurynews.com about his father and coach "But when I'm playing, they're in me."

Now Bowman has traded in playing alongside Lee for Willis, considered the best linebacker in the game who's had more tackles than anybody the last four years. Bowman had a career-best 17 tackles against Detroit earlier this season and leads the team in tackles - five more than Willis.

"I don't really pay attention to (stats) -- it's a team effort," Bowman told the MercuryNews.com "I'm just doing my job out there, and that's to make tackles, make plays and get our offense back on the field.

"It's not just tackling in the box. It's hustling to the ball and making plays that are not really yours," Bowman told the MercuryNews.com. "Those are when tackles get added up. If you run to the ball, you'll continue to get tackles, and that's pretty much all I've been doing."

Lee and Bowman once ranked among the top-tier of college linebackers. Now they are emerging at the top of the NFL ranks.

"They were heck of a good football players when they were here," their defensive coordinator and current coach Tom Bradley said. "They overcame some things and played hard. We're proud of them both.

What more needs to be said during a time when the university's storied football program is looking for any positive news.

NFL 2011 - Linebacker U Products: Lee and Bowman Emerging as NFL Stars