Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1537537
A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 7 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / L I N E B A C K E R S / / / / / / / PERSONNEL POSITION COACHES Dan Connor and Justin Lustig: Former Penn State All-American Dan Connor became the Nittany Lions' de facto line- backers coach last summer when the NCAA loosened restrictions on count- able assistant coaches. In February, the program's all-time leader in tackles was given the official title. After wrapping up a six-year NFL career, Connor started his coaching journey at West Chester University in 2014. He spent two years at the high school level before moving to Division III Widener for three seasons. His big break came in 2022 when he was added to Manny Diaz's defensive staff at Penn State as an analyst. At the time, Connor wasn't allowed to work hands-on with players due to NCAA rules governing what analysts could do. Connor's work behind the scenes caught the attention of James Franklin and the rest of the staff. Diaz left after the 2023 season, and his suc- cessor, Tom Allen, stayed for just one year. Amid the changes in leadership, Connor's presence provided some much-needed stability. Connor played for the Nittany Lions from 2004-07, racking up 419 tackles and earning All-America honors his last two seasons. He won the 2007 Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in the country and was chosen by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Lustig, meanwhile, is in charge of Penn State's outside linebackers and nickels, but his primary responsibility is the kicking game. An Erie, Pa., native and Bucknell graduate, he's getting ready for his second season as special teams co- ordinator after arriving from Vanderbilt following the 2023 season. RETURNING SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS DOMINIC DELUCA R-Sr. | 6-1 | 227 • Made five starts and finished ninth among all PSU defenders with 40 tack- les while tying for the team lead with 3 interceptions, including 2 picks against SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff. • Amassed 29 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and a blocked punt in 2023. • 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. KARI JACKSON R-Fr. | 6-1 | 237 • Did not see action in his first season at Penn State. • Missed nearly his entire senior season at West Bloomfield (Mich.) High after suffering a shoulder injury on opening night. • Totaled 103 tackles, including 26 for loss and 3 sacks, as a junior. DAKAARI NELSON R-So. | 6-3 | 234 • Transitioned from safety to linebacker just ahead of the 2024 season. • Totaled 5 tackles in 14 game appear- ances with one start (versus Illinois). TONY ROJAS Jr. | 6-2 | 230 • Played through an injury for much of the 2024 season but still finished fifth on the team with 58 tackles. • Had a pick six that helped Penn State build a comfortable halftime lead against SMU in the opening round of the CFP. • Appeared in 13 games as a true fresh- man, playing both defense and special teams and finishing with 21 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, a forced fumble and an interception. • Was the Virginia Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year in 2022. ANTHONY SPECA R-Fr. | 6-1 | 227 • Played in four regular-season games to preserve his redshirt and also ap- peared briefly in the Nittany Lions' win over SMU. • Holds the career record at Pittsburgh Central Catholic with 326 career tack- les. • Finished with 94 tackles as a senior, including 17 for loss and 5 sacks. KEON WYLIE R-Jr. | 6-2 | 225 • Suffered a knee injury in spring prac- tice and missed the entire 2024 sea- son. • Played in all 13 games on defense and special teams as a redshirt freshman, totaling 17 tackles, with 5 for loss and 3 sacks. • Was Penn State's Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. • Preserved his freshman eligibility by playing in only three games during the 2022 season. NEWCOMERS LAVAR ARRINGTON II Fr. | 6-3 | 219 • Totaled 45 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries as a senior at Charter Oak (Calif.) High. • Earned a four-star grade from On3 and was listed as the No. 36 linebacker na- tionally and No. 28 player in California. AMARE CAMPBELL Jr. | 6-0 | 231 • Transferred to Penn State in May after spending his first two college seasons at North Carolina. • Started 13 games for the Tar Heels as a sophomore, finishing with 76 tackles, including 10.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks. • Appeared in 11 games with one start as a freshman, totaling 14 tackles. CAM SMITH Fr. | 6-0 | 215 • Had 58 tackles, including 17 for loss and 7 sacks, for a St. Joseph's Prep team that won the Pennsylvania Class 6A state title in 2024. • Rated by On3 as a three-star prospect and was listed as the No. 45 linebacker nationally and No. 13 player in Penn- sylvania. ALEX TATSCH Fr. | 6-2 | 231 • Was slowed by a shoulder injury during his senior season at Greater Latrobe (Pa.) High but still totaled 40 tackles, including 11 for loss. • Earned a four-star grade from On3 and was listed as the No. 276 overall player and No. 31 linebacker nationally, as well as the No. 5 prospect in Pennsyl- vania.