Chizmar

ADAMS TWP — It may be viewed by some as taking a chance, but Max Chizmar sees it as taking a shot at living his dream.

The Mars senior passed up three offers to play football at other colleges in hopes of making Penn State University’s team as a preferred walk-on.

Chizmar turned down offers from Army, Cornell and Dayton. He will enter summer practices at Penn State as an inside linebacker.

“Playing football in college has always been a dream of mine,” Chizmar said. “I grew up a Penn State fan and went to some games as a kid. I like the whole environment up there. This will give me the chance to find out exactly what I’m capable of.”

Also a factor on offense the last two seasons for Mars, Chizmar combined for 296 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 42 carries to go along with key blocks from his wingback position.

But at Penn State he will look to leave his mark on defense, where he was a reliable playmaker for the Planets ever since earning a starting job his sophomore year. Chizmar was named First Team All-Conference at linebacker as a junior and senior.

“He led us in tackles over the last three years, had over 100 each season,” said Planets coach Scott Heinauer. “He was a vocal and physical leader. A guy like that won’t be easy to replace.”

Penn State is coming off its best campaign in eight seasons after going 11-3, winning the Big 10 championship game and playing in the Rose Bowl last season, head coach James Franklin’s third with the team. The Nittany Lions were ranked No. 7 in the country in the final Associated Press and Coaches polls in mid-January.

Chizmar (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) will be entering a very competitive environment.

“Walking on is not easy at a Division I program like Penn State,” said Heinauer. “Max knows the climb that’s in front of him, but what he sets his eyes on, he follows through with it.

“He works hard, including in the classroom. Max is hard-nosed and a very determined young man.”

Chizmar will use his status as an underdog to his advantage.

“I’ll have a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “Hopefully, things work out for me.”

Regardless of what happens on the gridiron, Chizmar plans to earn a degree in business from PSU.

“Penn State is the one school I’d want to be at even without football,” he said. “But I know I can make the team. I just need the opportunity.”