Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1520787
J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 4 19 the ball. After a senior season in which he totaled 72 tackles, including 14 for loss and 13 sacks, along with 5 forced fumbles and 4 pass breakups, there was never any doubt about his potential as a difference- making linebacker. If there was any uncertainty about Ro- jas' collegiate future, it had to do with his weight, which was listed at 195 pounds when he signed in December 2022. He wasn't heavy enough to play linebacker in the Big Ten, and while there was plenty of confidence that he would be able to pack on the necessary muscle, no one knew how long it would take. As it turned out, it didn't take long at all. Once he arrived at Penn State in Jan- uary and began working with strength and conditioning coach Chuck Losey and football dietician Leanne Louden, Rojas underwent a dramatic physical transfor- mation. By the time his first spring prac- tice wrapped up, he was listed at 6-foot- 2, 225 pounds. Even better as far as Penn State was concerned, he didn't lose any of his trade- mark speed while putting on weight. "A lot of times, when guys get on cam- pus, they put 20 pounds on and it's to the detriment of something — usually their movement," Losey said. "Not Tony." High Energy Under the tutelage of now-departed defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, Rojas used a year of eligibility last fall. He saw action in all 13 contests, finishing with 22 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, along with an interception and a forced fumble. Both turnovers came against Maryland, which was his best game of the sea- son. He also played well in the Peach Bowl, seeing action on 20 defensive snaps and finishing with a career-high 5 tack- les in the Nittany Lions' 38-25 loss to Ole Miss. As it did with future All-American Mi- cah Parsons in 2018, Penn State strived to put Rojas in situations in which he could succeed. Parsons, now a perennial All- Pro with the Dallas Cowboys, had a big- ger presence in his first year as a Nittany Lion than Rojas did, leading the team in tackles even as a backup. But as far as the coaches were concerned, the philosophi- cal approach was the same: They wanted to challenge him, but they also wanted to pick their spots. Rojas will now attempt to have a Par- sons-like Year 2 in blue and white. Par- sons shined as a sophomore, again leading the team in tackles with 109, including 14 for loss, 5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles en route to consensus All-America honors. Rojas said following the Blue-White Game in April that he appreciated how Diaz deployed him last season. "He didn't really rush me, although I felt like I was ready early on in the games," he said. "I feel like it really boosted my confidence [playing well during late- game appearances]. Every game, I just felt more and more calm. I wasn't really ner- vous, and I'm just ready to get out there for season two." Franklin noted during spring practice that Rojas is blending what he learned last year with what he's doing under first- year coordinator Tom Allen, who stepped in after Diaz left to become head coach at Duke. Allen has a different style than his predecessor. He's not especially loud, but he is a constant communicator, which is something Rojas picked up on quickly during their first four months together. "[Allen] brings a lot of energy to our meetings," Rojas said. "He praises energy and makes sure that we have energy and "I think he's a guy that literally can play both [linebacker] positions. He's intelligent enough to play Mike, and he's physical enough and has got enough instincts to play the boundary 'backer. He's had a lot of production early on in his career. Obviously, we expect it to skyrocket this year." J A M E S F R A N K L I N O N R O J A S Rojas played in all 13 games for the Nittany Lions last season, earning more opportunities as the year went on. Of his 21 total tackles, 3.5 were for a loss of yards, and he added an interception against Maryland. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL