Lance Mehl was drafted No. 69 overall by the New York Jets in the 1980 NFL Draft out of Penn State. 97 regular-season games · 6 seasons as a starter · 51 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #69
- Round
- 3
- Draft class
- 1980
- NFL games
- 97
- Years as starter
- 6
- Career AV
- 5122nd at Penn State
- Pro Bowls
- 1
The pick
How Lance Mehl came off the board in 1980.
- Position
- Linebacker LB
- College
-
Penn State
Big Ten at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
97 regular-season games · 6 seasons as a starter · 51 career approximate value
- Games played
- 97
- Seasons as a starter
- 6
- Career approximate value
- 5122nd among Penn State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 51100% of career value
- Final season
- 19877 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 1× Pro Bowl
Around pick 69
Who came off the board on either side of Lance Mehl.
Michigan State
UCLA
Kansas · 2× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
Boston College
Penn State in the 1980 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other LB picks from Penn State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Micah Parsons
LB · DAL · 2021
Penn State · 3× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl
#91
NaVorro Bowman
LB · SF · 2010
Penn State · 4× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
#8
Shane Conlan
LB · BUF · 1987
Penn State · 3× Pro Bowl
#2
LaVar Arrington
LB · WAS · 2000
Penn State · 3× Pro Bowl
#55
Sean Lee
LB · DAL · 2010
Penn State · 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
#43
Matt Millen
LB · LV
Penn State · 1× Pro Bowl
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Lance Mehl in the 1980 NFL Draft
Lance Mehl is a Linebacker out of Penn State selected No. 69 overall by the New York Jets in the 1980 NFL Draft. 97 regular-season games · 6 seasons as a starter · 51 career approximate value Penn State has produced 248 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Lance Mehl drafted?
Lance Mehl was selected No. 69 overall by the New York Jets in the 1980 NFL Draft (Rd 3). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1980/lance-mehl.
What college did Lance Mehl play for?
Lance Mehl played college football at Penn State in the Big Ten. See every Penn State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/penn-state-nittany-lions.
How did Lance Mehl's NFL career turn out?
97 regular-season games · 6 seasons as a starter · 51 career approximate value Accolades: 1× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1980/lance-mehl.