Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544053
3 4 A P R I L 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M sive tackles against the run. The change to a four-down look with massive defen- sive tackles in front of him will give Ebel a chance to show off his playmaking skills. Cael Brezina: Another Iowa State transfer, Brezina played all over the for- mation for the Cyclones and will do so again at PSU. Depending on how quickly some other linebackers recover from in- juries, he could see time at Will or Sam. John Klosterman: The third-team middle linebacker spot is up for grabs. Klosterman will have a shot at it after ex- celling on special teams at Iowa State the past three seasons. WILL Caleb Bacon R-Sr. 6-4 240 or Tony Rojas R-Jr. 6-2 236 Alex Tatsch So. 6-2 235 SCOUTING REPORT Caleb Bacon: Due to personnel and injury issues, Bacon played all over the front for Iowa State last season. He started as the Cyclones' Sam linebacker but moved into the box and was playing Will by the end of the year. He's not a superb pass rusher, but he's versatile enough to play off the edge in run defense, and to blitz or get pressure occasionally. Bacon isn't a bad zone defender, but he can be exposed without quick pressure. Tony Rojas: Rojas is the only player we're putting at two different spots in this exercise. He figures to play a healthy number of snaps at Will, splitting time with Bacon while also seeing action at Sam. The situation affords Penn State the opportunity to bring him back slowly if necessary from last year's season-ending injury. Alex Tatsch: After suffering a season- ending knee injury during Pinstripe Bowl practice last December, the logical plan for Tatsch would be to take a medical redshirt. SAM Tony Rojas R-Jr. 6-2 236 Cam Smith R-Fr. 6-0 218 Chris Fileppo So. 6-4 220 SCOUTING REPORT Tony Rojas: We'll list Rojas as the "starting" Sam linebacker, but it will be a situational role. Expect to see him shift to the field linebacker position on early run downs and against teams that use heavy personnel. From this position, Rojas can cover like a slot defender, play the run from depth and join the defensive line as an occasional blitzer. Cam Smith: Under former Penn State head coach James Franklin, Smith would have started out as a field linebacker and moved into the box as he progressed physically. It's reasonable to expect a sim- ilar plan for him now. Chris Fileppo: Fileppo played a good amount of his snaps at West Virginia in the flat as a quasi-linebacker. He will likely be deployed in a more traditional linebacker role at Penn State, providing underneath coverage and run defense in the flats and edges of the tackle box. Cornerback FIELD Daryus Dixson So. 6-0 186 Joshua Johnson R-Fr. 6-2 191 Xxavier Thomas R-Fr. 5-11 185 SCOUTING REPORT Daryus Dixson: By season's end, Dix- son was one of Penn State's most consis- tent defensive players. After cornerbacks coach Terry Smith took over as interim head coach, Dixson began earning more playing time over veterans A.J. Harris and Elliot Washington. In both zone and man coverage, he showed the ability to produce across a variety of schemes. Joshua Johnson: There's no question that Johnson has talent. The question is whether that talent is best suited to the cornerback position. He's listed there for now. At 6-2, 195 pounds, he fits the mold of a bigger, more physical outside corner. Xxavier Thomas: Thomas didn't see action in 2025 but still projects as a ver- Linebacker Tony Rojas missed Penn State's last nine games in 2025 after suffering an injury in practice, but he is expected back at full strength this coming fall. PHOTO BY FRANK HYATT