Dennis Henry Onkotz (born February 6, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, twice earning consensus All-American honors. He suffered a career ending injury during his first and only season with the Jets.

Onkotz was born on February 6, 1948, in Northampton, Pennsylvania.^[1] He attended Northampton Area High School. He graduated in 1966.^[2] From 1963-66 he scored over 1,000 points on the school's basketball team.^[3] In 2006, he was inducted into the Northampton Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame.^[4]

Onkotz attended Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). He was named a consensus All-American at linebacker in 1968 and 1969. He was a second team All-American as a sophomore in 1967. An all-around athlete, Onkotz helped earn Penn State the nickname "Linebacker U," as the first great linebacker in the school tradition; but thanks to his speed he also held the unlikely position of punt returner, with an impressive average of over 13 yards per return.^[5][6][1][7] Future NFL hall of fame linebacker, and Penn State teammate, Jack Ham^[8] said "'[Linebacker U] started with Dennis Onkotz.'"^[9]

Onkotz led the team in tackles in 1968 and 1969.^[1] As of 2024, he ranks first in school history for interceptions by a linebacker with 11,^[2] with only five defensive backs ahead of him in total interceptions.^[10] Onkotz amassed 287 tackles, which at one time ranked third on the Lions' career list (but as of 2024 is just outside of the top five^[10]). His 11 interceptions are tied for eighth in school history. His three interception returns for touchdowns are a career record (since tied). Onkotz made the 1969 Academic All-America team and was also selected to play in the 1970 Hula Bowl.^[11] In three seasons, he helped the Lions to a 30–2–1 record and three bowl games, including two Orange Bowl wins.^[2] During the two Orange Bowl seasons (1968-69), Penn State was 11–0 each year.^[5] The Associated Press ranked Penn State second in the nation both years.^[12][13]

In 1995, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.^[5][1]

Onkotz was selected in the third round of the 1970 NFL draft by the New York Jets.^[14] However, during a goal line stand on defense against the Los Angeles Rams in his rookie season, the Rams' fullback hit Onkotz and his leg snapped. He was in a cast for five months, with pins in his leg.^[15] The severely broken leg effectively ended his professional career after just nine games played.^[11][16] Onkotz was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and after a year attempted a comeback, but did not make the team. He tried another unsuccessful comeback with the Denver Broncos.^[15][17]

After his short professional career, Onkotz attended graduate school at Penn State.^[15] As an undergraduate, he had gotten a degree in biophysics.^[5] Onkotz is a financial planner and affiliated with the Pennsylvania Financial Group. He lives with his wife, Diane, in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania near Penn State. He has four daughters, Dana, Gretchen, Rachel, and Carly.^[2]