Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1538407
1 8 S E P T E M B E R 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 Tony Rojas was Penn State's fifth- leading tackler as a sophomore last sea- son, and he made one of the year's most memorable plays when he returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown in the Nittany Lions' 38-10 rout of SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff. While no one outside of the program was aware of it, Rojas was not at full strength. He had suffered an injury that hindered him throughout much of the season and required surgery after the Li- ons' campaign ended in January. Rojas missed spring practice while re- covering. The timing was unfortunate given that Penn State was transitioning to a new coordinator in Jim Knowles and a new 4-2-5 base defense. However, Ro- jas was back in action over the summer and by all accounts looked good in the first few practice sessions of preseason camp. "He's strong, he's fast, he's confident," coach James Franklin said. "Obviously, it's Year 3 for him, since he played as a true freshman. He's in a really good place, and we're anticipating him hav- ing a big year. He's still got to go out and do it, but he's been very intentional all summer, and he's been impressive so far in camp." At media day in early August, Rojas talked to BWI about his recovery and his aspirations for the 2025 season. BWI: James Franklin said you weren't completely healthy for most of last sea- son even though you started every game. How were you able to do that, and how do you feel you played overall last year? ROJAS: "I played with an injury, and it is what it is. At the end of the day, I had to do what was best — not for me, but for the team. If I'd given up when the injury happened, I would have let the team down. I just had to fight through it. It wasn't something that I couldn't [play] with, so I played with it. "Now that I'm 100 percent, I feel great. This has probably been my best offseason so far. Seeing what I did last year, not being at 100 percent, I still have a lot to improve on. Those aren't excuses, but I need to focus on the stuff that I wasn't great at and just improve this off- season and [preseason] camp." BWI: What has made this your best offseason in the program? You were still working your way back during the spring. ROJAS: "I'd say just getting back to being 100 percent healthy. And then since Day 1 this summer, having a chip on my shoulder. Whether it was running or being in the weight room, I was just going 100 percent and getting stronger and faster in every way." BWI: What did it mean to you to take that first practice rep when you guys started preseason camp? It was your first time being out there taking snaps in Jim Knowles' defense, since you weren't available in the spring. ROJAS: "It felt good, just knowing what he did with his linebackers at Ohio State and what he brings to the table here. It's amazing. And then actually being able to practice now is cool, and the system is good for the D-line and linebackers. So, I'm grateful, and I'm still learning every day and improving." BWI: What are some of the things you've been working on this offseason? ROJAS: "First was obviously tackling for me, just being intentional with the details — being strong with my arms and repping hard, choosing whether it's a roll tackle or straight on. And then just following what the coach said at the end-of-year meetings, improving on those types of things. You've got to work on everything. You can't just do one thing." BWI: Is it harder to work on tack- ling technique considering how college football has changed? There's been an effort to cut down on the amount of hit- ting that takes place in practice. ROJAS: "Sort of, but it's up to you. There are also tackling dummies you can work on. Obviously, it's not like an in-game situation, but you've got to replicate as much as you can and just be consistent with it." BWI: What are you most looking for- ward to this season? ROJAS: "I'm just looking forward to going back out there with the guys. The seniors, it's their last year. "We're [playing behind] one of the best D-lines in the country. I'm not tak- ing that for granted and I'm going out every day and playing with emotion." Sitting Down With Junior Linebacker Tony Rojas Rojas finished fifth on the Penn State defense last year with 59 tackles, and he also tied for the team lead with 3 inter- ceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against SMU. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL