- A graduate of North Hills High School and Penn State University
- Three-year starter at Penn State
- Sporting News All-American in 1998, consensus All-American in 1999
- Parade National Player of the Year, Bobby Dodd National Offensive Player of the Year, Gatorade Player of the Year (Eastern Region), and PA Player of the Year (USA Today)
- 1998 Big-Ten Defensive Player of the Year, won Butkus Award as nations top linebacker and Bednarik Award as the top defensive player in NCAA
- 2nd overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft of the Washington Redskins
- 1st Team All-NFC Conference and Pro Bowl selection in 2001, 2002, and 2003
- WPIAL Hall of Fame Inductee in 2011