After redshirting his freshman year in 2004, he made appearances in every game in 2005, backing up future Kansas City Chief Tamba Hali.
He was instrumental in helping the Nittany Lions finish 11–1, winning the Big Ten championship and the Orange Bowl that season.
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In 2009 Hali was again moved—this time to outside linebacker—to accommodate new head coach Todd Haley's 3–4 defense.
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This stems from a tradition in the Kissi culture wherein the second son born to a woman is always named "Tamba." (The first is traditionally named "Saah.") When the Hali family is together, they call the eldest "Big Tamba" and his 6 ft.