Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532761
5 0 M A R C H 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 5 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / LB | 6-2 | 215 Greater Latrobe Latrobe, Pa. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Industry HHHH 304 31 5 On3 HHHH 275 31 5 247Sports HHH — 58 13 ESPN HHHH 290 28 9 Rivals HHHH 236 18 6 Statistics • Posted 40 tackles, including 11 for loss, an interception and 2 forced fumbles in an injury- shortened senior season • Totaled 91 tackles, with 8 sacks, and an in- terception as a sophomore • Had 111 tackles, including 9 for loss and 4 sacks, 4 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles as a junior Notable • Was a four-year letterman and a team cap- tain as a senior • Received first-team Class 4A all-state hon- ors as a junior • Invited to the Army All-American Game • Enrolled at Penn State in January Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on Feb. 4, 2024 • Recruited by cornerbacks coach Terry Smith and former defensive coordinator Tom Allen • Picked Penn State over West Virginia and Virginia Tech • Officially visited on June 14, 2024 2025 Projection Of the three linebackers in Penn State's 2025 class, the 6-2, 215-pound Tatsch is the closest to a traditional Mike 'backer. With Kobe King and Tyler Elsdon both departing, there may be an opportunity for reps, and Tatsch is on campus already. However, he's also working his way back from season-end- ing shoulder surgery, so a redshirt year could be in the cards. They Said It BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "Tatsch has the frame and game to be a downhill, be- tween-the-tackles eraser for the Penn State defense. With some work on his play though contact and trigger instincts, he could be a high-quality run defender who gets stops and doesn't miss tackles." T H E TAT S C H F I L E G rowing up in Western Pennsylva- nia, Alex Tatsch had always been a Pitt fan. As such, he might have seemed to be an unlikely addition to Penn State's class at the start of the 2025 recruiting cycle. However, Tatsch's coach at Greater Latrobe High was acquainted with longtime Penn State cornerbacks coach Terry Smith and sent the linebacker's film to the Nittany Lions. That got the staff 's attention, and their interest turned out to be mutual. Tatsch paid his first visit to Penn State when the Lions faced Iowa in their White Out game in September 2023. It turned out to be the start of a strong connection. "I went back up for a few more vis- its and I just really connected well with everyone there," Tatsch said. "They've been great, honestly." Listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Tatsch earned an offer from Penn State in October 2023 while visiting for its game against Indiana. When film be- gan circulating of his junior season, in which he totaled 111 tackles, Tatsch quickly saw his list of offers double. Pitt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin had all hosted him for games that fall, and now Kentucky, Maryland, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Stanford and USC, among others, were also pur- suing him. At that point, though, it was going to be difficult for any school to beat out the Nittany Lions. Tatsch announced his commitment last February, explain- ing that he felt he had found the right fit. "I've always just felt comfortable there," he said. "I think we can do some- thing special." Tatsch was on pace for another strong season as a senior, having made 40 tackles through five games, while also amassing 716 yards and 8 touchdowns as a running back. But early in the year, the two-way standout began experi- encing pain in his shoulder — the same joint that had been surgically repaired in January. He ended up having to un- dergo a second operation, ending his high school career. Amid those ups and downs, Tatsch remained one of the top prospects in his home state. On3 lists him as the No. 5 player in Pennsylvania, as well as the No. 275 overall prospect and No. 31 line- backer nationally. "He plays so instinctively," said Charles Power, On3's director of scout- ing and rankings. "He plays really fast and was super productive. I see a really fluid, natural athlete there. His move- ment skills just kind of pop out on film to me, and I think he plays at a different speed and sees the game really quickly. "He's going to need to continue fill- ing out and getting stronger. He also doesn't play against the best of compe- tition, but I think he dominates to the level that you would expect for a touted prospect playing at that level. I came away really liking his film a lot." — Ryan Snyder Tatsch saw his offer list balloon after making 111 tackles as a junior at Greater Latrobe, but by that point he was already sold on the Nittany Lions. PHOTO BY GREG PICKEL ALEX TATSCH Pennsylvania linebacker sees a perfect fit with Nittany Lions