PSU Player Name Changes
Penn State Player Name Changes—
Players who changed their last names at PSU—
Dvon Ellies DT (PSU 2019-24)—Ellies publicly changed his name to Dvon J-Thomas in Summer 2024 ahead of his 6th year Senior season at PSU—This was subtly revealed in a June 20 post on X/Twitter, and reached a wider audience July 11 when PSU announced he would be one of the players to represent the Nittany Lions at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago—On July 24 at the Media Day news conference, Dvon said the name change was to “honor his parents”—Interestingly, the “Dvon Ellies” name had already been used by Penn State for graphics of Dvon on printed (and electronic) tickets for the Nov. 30, 2024 game vs. Maryland
Nyeem Wartman LB (PSU 2012-16)—Nyeem added a hyphenated “White” to his last name to “honor his mother” ahead of the 2015 season at PSU becoming Nyeem Wartman-White
Brandon Moseby-Felder WR (PSU 2009-13)—Brandon opted to shorten his name to Brandon Felder for the 2013 season
Player who changed his last name after transferring from PSU—
Antonio Shelton DT (PSU 2016-20)—Shelton transferred via the portal to Florida for the 2021 season and played 12 games for the Gators under the name Antonio Valentino
Players who changed their first names after turning pro—
Derek Wake (PS LB 2000-2004)—Derek became Cameron Wake (using his middle name) after leaving Penn State in 2005 for a pro career in the CFL & NFL
Jayson Oweh (PS DE 2018-2020)—Jayson became Odafe Oweh (using his actual given first name) in the NFL after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2021—He had reportedly used “Jayson” in college to avoid issues with the pronunciation of his real first name
Penn State player who arrived on campus with the perfect football name—
Steve Smear (PS DT 1967-1969)—Smear lived up to his name as a starter over 3 seasons—He was also a Team Captain in both 1968 and 1969—He went on to a successful career in the CFL (1970-75)
Penn Staters best remembered by their nicknames—
William Thomas “Mother” Dunn C (1903-1906)—Penn State’s first Walter Camp 1st Team All-American in 1906
Eugene “Shorty” Miller QB (1910-1913)—Record-setting Quarterback of Penn State’s first two National Championship teams in 1911 & 1912
Harry “Light Horse” Wilson HB (1921-1923)—elected to the CHOF in 1973 (also played football at West Point 1924-27)
Charles “Rip” Engle Head Coach (1950-1965)
Anthony “Spice” Adams DT (1998-2002)
Richard Thomas “Trace” McSorley III QB (2014-2018)—most folks forget that “Trace” was, in fact, his nickname
What’s in a name?
Penn State players who would have been legendary if they had played at a certain other college—
Matt Suhey FB (PSU 1976-79)—Arkansas Razorbacks… “Woooooooooo, Pig! Sooie!” Nothing else needs to be said about Penn State’s former all-time rushing yards leader…
Storm Duck DB (PSU Spring 2023)—Oregon Ducks (obviously)… Storm was a one game wonder at Penn State (barely). He only appeared in the 2023 Blue-White game before transferring out to Louisville less than 4 months after he arrived in the portal from North Carolina…
Storm Duck Trivia—In Season 2/Episode 7 of the FOX-TV program “The Quiz Show with Balls” (originally aired July 21, 2025) Storm was one of the clues in a category on “real” names of athletes.