Which Penn State defender could see his production 'skyrocket' in 2024?
Penn State head coach James Franklin has a propensity for calling his shot each spring when it comes to a player who could break out come the fall. The best example is Carl Nassib, but there have been others. Now, it appears a Lions linebacker is the next in line to go from the talk of spring to having a fantastic fall. Unlike Nassib, though, no one will be surprised if that’s the path Tony Rojas takes. In fact, it is expected of the sophomore.
Rojas came to State College in 2023 as a four-star recruit who was Virginia’s player of the year on offense and an all-state selection on defense. He quickly packed on weight while keeping his trademark speed. Under the tutelage of now-departed defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, Rojas would go on to use a year of eligibility. He saw time in all 13 contests, finishing with 22 tackles (3.5 for loss), an interception, and a forced fumble. Both turnovers came against Maryland, which was his best contest of the season. But he also played well in the Peach Bowl, which was a springboard of sorts into 2024.
Penn State preps for Rojas to take the next step
Franklin noted Tuesday after spring practice No. 9 that Rojas is blending what he learned under Diaz with what he’s learning under first-year coordinator Tom Allen, who replaced the current Duke head coach. The linebacker somehow looks bigger and better physically than he did a year ago and could step into a starting role for the first time now that Abdul Carter is playing defensive end.
“I think you see physically, he looks different,” Franklin said. “I wanted to make sure that he’s not putting on too much weight. But I think he’s a guy that literally can play both positions. He’s intelligent enough to play the [middle linebacker]. And he’s physical enough and got enough instincts to play the boundary backer. And he can run. He’s had a lot of production early on in his career. Obviously, we expect it to skyrocket this year, especially with Abdul moving to defensive end. I think him and Kobe will work very well together. And I think there will still be competition with some other guys. But I think he’s getting better every single day.”
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Teammate Dom DeLuca, a captain and position mate, agrees.
“He picks up the game really fast and really well,” DeLuca said. “I mean, he’s always excited to learn. He’s doing a lot of film study, a lot of study with the coaches, and just asking a lot of questions to me and coaches. When he comes off the field, we always talk talk about like, what do you see you see here? What made you uncomfortable? What was a little weird and what was different? We really talk through everything and we’re learning from each other. I mean, he’s a great athletes. I’m excited for him this year.”
Allen will have plenty of options at his disposal at linebacker this fall. Few are ready-made to shine as Rojas is, though, which is why he is, and will continue, to attract so much buzz heading into the fall.
“I’ve been impressed with his development,” Franklin said. “And, I think you’ll continue to see it all summer.”
