A true sophomore at the time, Tony Rojas started every game at the Will linebacker position for Penn State in 2024-25. By advancing to the Big Ten Championship tilt and the College Football Playoff semifinals, the Nittany Lions set school records for games played (16) and won (13).
A converted high school running back in only his second season at LB, Rojas had his share of growing pains during the regular season — especially when it came to being caught out of position. But things really came together in the CFP, when he had a thrilling pick six in the opening win over SMU and then seven tackles in the Fiesta Bowl win over Boise State.
Rojas finished the campaign fourth on the team with 58 tackles, six tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, three interceptions and a sack. They were solid numbers for a first-year starter, especially one who played all of those games with what appeared to be an injured right shoulder.
While Rojas brushed off questions about the injury during the season, the fact that he wore a substantial brace in every game was a clear indicator that something serious was wrong. And sure enough, when he was spotted at a PSU men’s basketball game at Rec Hall last month, his right arm was in a sling.
So there was no avoiding the topic when Rojas met the media during Penn State’s THON Explorers event at Lasch Building Saturday afternoon.
“Obviously, I had some stuff going on, but I got it fixed, and I’m looking forward to this season,” he said when asked about being slinged up. For the record, he was not wearing the sling Saturday.
So what is his prognosis for the rapidly approaching spring practice?
“I don’t know if I can say that,” Rojas said with a smile, referring to PSU’s policy of not discussing injuries. But then he added, “I’ll be good for the (2025-26) season, that’s all that matters.”
That season will bring with it a new defensive coordinator, the third in Rojas’ three years in Happy Valley. He began his PSU career with Manny Diaz as DC, but then Diaz became head coach at Duke in late 2023. He was replaced by former Indiana head coach Tom Allen, who lasted one season before joining the Clemson staff.
Last month, of course, James Franklin hired high-profile defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from rival Ohio State. Rojas admittedly has not spent a ton of time with Knowles just yet, as the coach initially had to focus on recruiting and then getting on the same page with the defensive assistants who are returning. But one thing about Knowles’ approach has stood out to Rojas early.
“Business,” he said. “I’d say that’s really the only word to describe him. You know, straight ahead, straight forward. And we just know that whenever he walks in the room … you just feel like it is business. It’s not really any joking around, and I think that’s what’s gonna take us the next step forward.
“I just feel like he has everyone’s attention,” Rojas added when asked to expand. “I don’t know the word for it, but just everyone — he grabs everyone’s attention the way he talks, the way he presents himself. It’s not strict. It’s just, I feel like the coach that we need to take the next step forward.”
Rojas said he was “grateful” to be able to work with Diaz and Allen. And he understood their respective decisions to leave, comparing it to players moving around via the NCAA Transfer Portal.
“Things happen,” he explained. “I’m excited for the present right now.”
There is one notable change from Diaz and Allen to Knowles. While both previous defensive coordinators also carried the title of linebackers coach, Knowles does not.
Enter Dan Connor, the former Penn State All-American linebacker who rejoined the program as a defensive analyst in 2022. An NCAA rules change in 2024 allowed analysts to be involved in on-field practices, and Connor was out there with Allen and the LBs last season. In fact, during portions of practice that were open to the media, it often looked as if Connor was doing more hands-on coaching than Allen.
Rojas indicated that Connor’s role is expanding even further.
“Dan’s just calm,” Rojas said. “He doesn’t stress about anything. He keeps us calm and collected. And he’s our coach now, obviously. We know what he’s gonna bring, and he’s gonna fight every chance he gets to make us the best we can be.
“We’re all just super happy,” Rojas added. “Obviously, he’s staying. We loved him as a coach, he made it so much better on the field just with technical stuff. So we’re all grateful.”
Whether or not Rojas is actually on the field this spring remains to be seen. Regardless, he sees a way he can contribute either way. With Kobe King opting not to use his final season of eligibility, Rojas and fifth-year senior Dominic DeLuca are the only returning linebackers with significant experience.
In fact, Rojas 656 snaps last season were second only to King’s 748 among the linebackers. DeLuca had 387. DeLuca and the other returning LBs besides Rojas combined for 546 snaps.
“Obviously with Kobe leaving, he was our biggest leader,” Rojas said. “We have Dom back, he’s been a big leader for us. … But with Kobe leaving, I’ve got to step up to the plate, on and off the field. I think I’m able to do that. And I think Kobe and Abdul (Carter) and all of them showed me how to do it.
“So I don’t think it will be that much of an adjustment,” he added. “I’ve just got to put my voice more out there.”
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