Penn State picks up another 2025 commitment from LB Alex Tatsch

Penn State picked up its latest Class of 2025 commitment Sunday evening from Greater Latrobe linebacker Alex Tatsch. A four-star prospect in On3’s Industry Rankings, Tatsch earned an offer from the Nittany Lions in October while visiting for the game against Indiana. He attended three games total this past season and also came back to campus on Dec. 12 to spend time with James Franklin and his staff.

By then, it was already clear that the Nittany Lions were the team to beat, only for Tatsch to follow those visits up with two more over the past few weeks. That included one final visit yesterday.

“I’ve been going back and forth on doing this for some time now,” Tatsch said when asked why now was the right time to commit to Penn State. “I just know this place is the best fit for me. I have a great relationship with the coaches. I’ve always just felt comfortable there. I think we can do something special there. We can do something special, for sure. But also, it’s close to home and I feel like I fit well with the team.”

While Tatsch already had a good feel for Tom Allen after multiple in-person talks this month, he said it was good to meet with not only his future defensive coordinator but a few others during yesterday’s visit.

Link: Surprise additions highlight visitor list for Penn State’s final junior day

“I got to meet the other linebacker in our class, DJ [McClary],” Tatsch said. “I enjoyed getting to meet him. Me, him and Coach Allen spent some time together, so that was pretty cool. Obviously, Dan Connor, too. I have a great relationship with [Connor]. He was pretty fired up [when I committed]. That was great. But just meeting with all of them together, that was cool.”

Similar to another Western Pennsylvania linebacker, Anthony Speca, Tatsch added that his relationship with Connor had a real impact on his decision.

“He was the first person I really started talking with from there, ever since I came up for that first game day visit,” he said. “I just like him a lot. I feel like I can relate to him well. We have a lot of similarities.”

Last spring, Tatsch earned two early offers from UConn and Marshall. However, once his junior season film started to spread, he saw his offer sheet explode. Pitt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin all hosted him for games during the 2023 season. Other schools that offered included Kentucky, Maryland, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Stanford and USC.

“It’s funny because I grew up a big Pitt fan,” Tatsch told BWI back in December. “My coach knew Terry Smith well, so he sent him my film and then I visited for the first time for that Iowa White Out game. I went back up then for a few more visits and I’ve just really connected well with everyone there. They’ve been great, honestly.”

Link: Four-star LB Cam Smith recaps Penn State junior day and what’s next this spring

The Notre Dame offer, which came just a few days ago, was particularly notable because Tatsch admitted a few weeks back that he was interested in potentially visiting South Bend. However, with the dead period about to begin, he said it wasn’t worth waiting until March or April.

“Notre Dame was kind of like one of those dream schools for me, but I don’t think me going out there was going to change my mind at all,” Tatsch said. “It would’ve just been one of those visits just to see the place. I don’t want to wait another month. I’m ready.”

In 11 games this past season, Tatsch totaled 79 tackles for Greater Latrobe and was named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s 2023 Fab 22. He also had seven tackles for loss, four sacks, four interceptions and three forced fumbles.

On3 has Tatsch rated as a high three-star prospect currently, assigning him an 89 overall rating. Rivals is the only other recruiting service to rate Tatsch so far, giving him a four-star rating. Those two combined make him a four-star prospect in the Industry Rankings. He currently sits at No. 292 nationally and ninth overall in Pennsylvania.

The Nittany Lions are now up to nine commitments total. Tatsch is also the second player to commit following PSU’s recent junior days. Offensive tackle Owen Aliciene ended his recruitment on Jan. 21.