A Nittany Lion's final stretch

Wallace wraps up NCAA career

Friday, Nov. 27, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo Penn State cornerback A.J. Wallace lunges at USC wide receiver Damian Williams during the 2009 Rose Bowl game. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Being explosive, fast, strong, physical and having a knack for the game are not the only traits that make up McDonough alumnus A.J. Wallace.

His willingness to get better and learn on and off the field are what have always made the 6-foot-1, 205 pound defensive back a special talent in the Big Ten Conference at Penn State University since his youth days on the gridiron.

Now a senior with the Nittany Lions, Wallace is looking to close a chapter in his career with one of the most prominent football programs in the country.

"It's very exciting to be in my final year," said Wallace, who has established himself this season as a premier cover corner for the team after it lost four starters in the secondary last season. "It always feels good to complete something and finishing that chapter in my life feels good."

Wallace's influences in his career are his parents, assistant Penn State coach Larry Johnson, his sister Tiauna and former McDonough head coach Dave Bradshaw.

"They've been very instrumental in life," Wallace noted. "Coach Bradshaw came to a couple of my games this year and has always been there for me. He's certainly going to be a lifetime friend in whatever I do."

Wallace, 21, will graduate in the spring with a degree in commercial recreation.

Despite going through some adversity in his career under head coach Joe Paterno's program, the Nittany Lion stood up to the challenge in his first start of the season Oct. 17 when he put the clamps on Golden Gophers' star wide receiver Eric Decker in the Nittany Lions' 20-0 home victory. It was the 40th shutout of Paterno's career.

"Everyone is looking at you and it's all about showing up for every game," said Wallace, who wants to start his own nonprofit organization for youth after college. "I watch a lot of film on the receivers and you become a student of the game for the most part. How you practice is how you will perform in the game. On Saturdays I just try to go all out."

Wallace limited the 6-foot-3 Decker, an All-America candidate, to just one catch for 42 yards.

But in fact one of Wallace's biggest plays that day took place after the Minnesota offense drove all the way to the Penn State 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

On fourth and goal, he and teammate Navarro Bowman stuffed running back Kevin Whaley at the goal line.

"I ran as fast as I could to the pylon and made sure [Whaley] didn't get to the goal line," he said. "Navarro wrapped him up on the inside and I was able to hit him on the outside."

Penn State, which shellacked host Michigan State 42-14 last Saturday, finished the regular season 10-2 overall (6-2 Big Ten).

Looking at some of Wallace's highlights as a Nittany Lion, one may notice his 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Ohio State as a sophomore.

Or one may see Wallace during his freshman year, when he ripped off a 42-yard gain off a reverse on his first collegiate snap. But when asked which play was the most exciting Wallace mentioned another moment during his freshman year.

"I think the most exciting was the touchdown against Youngstown State," Wallace said of the 76-yard score off a reverse. "To get that first touchdown of my career under my belt was great. That was definitely a play that I will always remember in my career."

Before the collegiate level, Wallace was an all-state running back for the Rams when he rushed for 2,100 yards and 28 touchdowns over his high school career. He averaged 9.5 yards a carry and also returned three kicks for touchdowns and added three interceptions as a cornerback. Wallace was ranked the sixth-best corner in the nation by Scout.com and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

"He's definitely a specimen now," said Bradshaw on Wallace's growth. "He weighed 130 when he was in high school and now he's 205. It's great to see what he's done on the college field as a Division I starting cornerback. He has come along way since coming through McDonough's doors as a freshman."

"You have to stay positive no matter what," Wallace said, offering advice to SMAC athletes. "You are going to go through trials and tribulations and it's all about fighting through them."

ajmason@somdnews.com