The legacy of "Linebacker U" isn't lost on former Penn State standout NaVorro Bowman and it doesn't sound like his faith in Joe Paterno has changed either.

The third-year pro will compete in his first Super Bowl this Sunday in New Orleans and Bowman is one of the young defensive stars on a San Francisco team that delivers a lot of punishing blows. He's been asked about seemingly everything this week during the media blitz leading up to the Super Bowl. He's talked about his NFL shield tattoo, what his defense needs to do to slow down Joe Flacco and of course what being a Penn Stater has been like, especially during the past year.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman speaks during media day for the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in New Orleans.

News station WTAJ based in Altoona, caught up with Bowman during this week's festivities to see how Penn State helped prepare him for his NFL career.

“Penn State prepared me in a way that's definitely made me mature,” he said in the interview. “Going through Joe Paterno's program he definitely made me understand life a little bit better and I think a lot faster than a lot of guys that come into this league.”

Thirty five former Penn Staters have combined to earn 51 Super Bowl rings and Bowman's hoping that by Sunday night he'll be able to add his to the collection. With Jim Caldwell and Teryl Austin on the Ravens' coaching staff, either way someone with Penn State ties will have a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

“I went to Penn State to get an education and also to have success in football,” Bowman told her. “That's one of the things that Joe really implemented that you have to go to class, you have to do your work or you won't play football. In order to get through football during Joe's time everyone had to get good grades, you had to go to class and it just shows in the type of men that come out of Penn State.”

Bowman added: “It makes me feel like I've made the right choices throughout my life. It makes me feel like I've worked hard and done the right things. It makes me feel like I've set examples and I've opened up roads for kids that are coming from my area.”

The reporter also caught up with 49ers practice squad member Nate Stupar who joined the 49ers in January. Stupar spoke of once again looking up to Bowman, much like he did during his days at Penn State. The full interview can be heard here.