Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503568
A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 6 9 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M LINEBACKERS / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / L I N E B A C K E R S / / / / / / / PERSONNEL POSITION COACH Manny Diaz: Now in his 26th year as a college coach, Diaz is getting set to begin his second season at the helm of both the Penn State de- fense and specifically its linebacker unit. His first season was a resounding success. Diaz was a 2022 semifinalist for the Broyles Award, which is given to the nation's top assistant, after the Lions led the Big Ten in tackles for loss (104) and sacks (42) and had the most pass breakups in the FBS (85). Diaz, a Miami native, didn't play football while attending Florida State, but he began his coaching career in Tallahassee, serving as a graduate assis- tant with the Seminoles in 1998 and '99. His first job as a position coach was at NC State, where he led the linebackers from 2002-03. Diaz became a defensive coordinator for the first time at Middle Tennessee State in 2006. He later served in the same capacity at Mississippi State, Texas and Louisiana Tech. In 2016, he became defensive coordinator at Miami (Fla.) and held that position for three years. Diaz's first head coaching job was at Temple, but his tenure with the Owls lasted just 18 days. When the Hurricanes' head coaching job became available in December 2018 following Mark Richt's resignation, Diaz headed back to Coral Gables. He went 21-15 in three seasons before being fired on Dec. 6, 2021. From there, he landed with the Lions. RETURNING SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS ABDUL CARTER So. | 6-3 | 250 • Was a second-team All-Big Ten pick after amassing 56 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 5 quarterback hurries in 2022. • Led all Big Ten freshmen in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles. • Finished his senior season at La Salle College High in Philadelphia with 78 tackles, includ- ing 10 for loss, 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. • Was a three-time All-Philadelphia Catholic League selection and two-time all-state choice. • Received a four-star rating and was the No. 222 player nationally and No. 6 player in Penn- sylvania in the On3 Industry Ranking. DOMINIC DeLUCA R-So. | 6-1 | 213 • Was put on scholarship following a redshirt freshman season in which he saw action in all 13 games, finishing with 29 tackles, including 2 for loss, a sack and a blocked punt. • Was named Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Year as a true freshman in 2021 while also playing on special teams in three games. • Won a PIAA Class AAA title with Wyoming Area as a senior in 2020 and was named player of the year by two Wilkes-Barre newspapers, The Citizens' Voice and Times Leader, and also by NEPAFootball.com. TYLER ELSDON Jr. | 6-2 | 233 • Started 13 games at middle linebacker in 2022, finishing with 44 tackles, including 3 for loss, a sack and 2 quarterback hurries. • Totaled 12 tackles in 12 games during the 2021 season, including a 6-tackle performance in Penn State's victory over Auburn in September. CURTIS JACOBS Jr. | 6-1 | 238 • Was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick in 2022 after starting 12 games and making 52 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and 4 sacks. • Led all Penn State linebackers with 3 sacks and recorded 7 tackles for loss among his 61 total stops while earning honorable mention All-Big Ten plaudits in 2021. • Had 9 tackles and a pass breakup as a true freshman in 2020, a season in which he played in eight of Penn State's nine games. KOBE KING R-So. | 6-1 | 246 • Made 41 tackles, including 4 for loss, in 13 games last season, and returned a fumble for a touchdown against Rutgers. • Played in four games (3 tackles) as a true freshman in 2021, preserving his freshman eligibility. KEON WYLIE R.-Fr | 6-2 | 219 • Was Penn State's Developmental Squad Defen- sive Player of the Year in 2022. • Preserved his freshman eligibility by playing in only three games during the 2022 season. • Totaled 9 sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a se- nior at Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia. • Was a three-year captain and two-time team MVP for the Panthers, who won three Public League championships during his tenure. • Received a three-star rating and was the No. 52 linebacker nationally and No. 15 Pennsylva- nia player in the On3 Industry Ranking. NEWCOMERS KAVEION KEYS Fr. | 6-2 | 214 • Was a first-team all-region linebacker as a ju- nior and senior and a Virginia Class 4A all-state selection as a junior. • Made 70 tackles and had 11 sacks and 9 tackles for loss as a senior and was a two-time team captain. • Received a four-star grade and was the No. 27 linebacker, No. 265 overall prospect and No. 6 Virginia player in the On3 Industry Ranking. Ta'MERE ROBINSON Fr. | 6-3 | 231 • Missed his senior season at Brashear High in Pittsburgh due to a knee injury. • Made more than 100 tackles during his first three high school seasons. • Earned a four-star rating and was the No. 26 linebacker and No. 248 overall prospect na- tionally, and the No. 3 player in Pennsylvania according to the On3 Industry Ranking. TONY ROJAS Fr. | 6-2 | 225 • Was the Virginia Gatorade High School Foot- ball Player of the Year and an All-American Bowl invitee. • Recorded 72 tackles, including 14 for loss, 13 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 4 pass breakups as a senior at Fairfax (Va.) High. • Received a four-star rating and was the No. 8 linebacker, No. 92 overall prospect and No. 2 Virginia player in the On3 Industry Ranking. Junior Curtis Jacobs could have left for the NFL following the 2022 season but announced in January that he would be returning for one more year with the Nittany Lions. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE