Four years ago, Jared Odrick had a decision to make. Now there's no questioning that he made the right one.

 Odrick was recently named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Assocation. The Lebanon native and resident and defensive tackle was the only Penn State player to receive the honor and joined linebacker Greg Jones of Michigan State as the only Big Ten players to be recognized by the country's coaches.

 The award was just more icing on a marvelous senior season - as well as an outstanding four-year career in State College - for the 6-5, 305-pound Odrick. A conistent performer inside, Odrick recorded six sacks and 41 tackles for the Nittany Lions in 2009.

 Earlier, Odrick was named the Big Ten Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the year. Odrick has also been invited to compete in the prestigious Senior Bowl game, which will be held Jan. 30, 2010 in Mobile, Alabama.

 Odrick and the Lions are expected to learn their post-season bowl fate on Sunday.

-Jeff Falk