Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 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 COACH Tyson Veidt: After two seasons as defen- sive coordinator at Cincinnati, Veidt has rejoined Matt Campbell's staff. Prior to his tenure with the Bearcats, the Logan, Ohio, native coached linebackers under Campbell at both Toledo and Iowa State. Veidt's defenses struggled in 2024 and '25. The Bearcats were No. 85 in total de- fense in 2024 and No. 100 this past season. However, Cincinnati did boast a first-team All-Big 12 linebacker last year in Jake Gol- day, who finished with 105 tackles, includ- ing 6 for loss and 3.5 sacks, along with 3 pass breakups. During his tenure at Iowa State, Veidt developed two All-Americans in Joel Lan- ning (2017) and Mike Rose (2020). He was FootballScoop.com's Linebackers Coach of the Year in 2017, and the following year he was a nominee for the Broyles Award, which goes to college football's top assis- tant coach. Veidt will be assisted by Dan Connor, a former Penn State All-American and a hold- over from James Franklin's coaching staff. 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. RETURNING SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS TONY ROJAS R-Jr. | 6-2 | 236 • Suffered a season-ending injury in practice prior to the UCLA game and finished Penn State's 2025 campaign with 25 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and 2 sacks. • Announced on New Year's Day that he would be returning to Penn State for the 2026 season. • Played through an injury for much of the 2024 season but still finished fifth on the team with 58 tackles. • 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. CAM SMITH R-Fr. | 6-0 | 222 • Was on the field for one snap last year, seeing action in Penn State's loss at UCLA. • 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 So. | 6-2 | 235 • Earned 108 snaps in six games before suffering an injury during the Nittany Lions' Pinstripe Bowl preparations. • Slowed by a shoulder injury during his senior season at Greater Latrobe (Pa.) High but still totaled 40 tackles, includ- ing 11 for loss. • Earned a four-star grade in the Rivals Industry Ranking and was listed as the No. 306 overall player and No. 31 line- backer nationally, as well as the No. 6 prospect in Pennsylvania. NEWCOMERS CALEB BACON R-Sr. | 6-4 | 242 • Was one of only three players on Iowa State's defense to start all 12 games last year, totaling 68 tackles and a team-high 3 sacks. • Earned honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition. • Suffered a season-ending injury in the Cyclones' 2024 opener against North Dakota. CAEL BREZINA Jr. | 6-3 | 233 • Played in 12 games, with five starts, as a sophomore at Iowa State, finishing the season with 29 tackles, 3 quarter- back hurries, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. • Played in eight games, with seven starts, as a true freshman, totaling 22 tackles, including 3 for loss. KOOPER EBEL Sr. | 6-4 | 233 • Finished second in snaps on Iowa State's defense last year, totaling 664 to safety Marcus Neal Jr.'s 697. • Led the Cyclones with 77 tackles, including 8 for loss, and had 5 quar- terback hurries, 3 pass breakups and a sack. • Started 14 games as a sophomore and was third on the team with 69 tackles for loss. CHRIS FILEPPO So. | 6-4 | 219 • Played 104 defensive snaps at West Virginia last season, mostly at safety but also at linebacker, where he to- taled 12 tackles. • Helped lead LaSalle College High to a 10-1 record and a Philadelphia Catho- lic League championship as a senior in 2024. KEIAN KAISER Fr. | 6-4 | 215 • Flipped from Iowa State to Penn State after Campbell left to become the Li- ons' new head coach. • Listed by Rivals as the No. 156 line- backer nationally and No. 17 prospect in Nebraska. • Finished with 352 tackles in four var- sity seasons at Sidney High. JOHN KLOSTERMAN R-Sr. | 5-11 |223 • Has one year of eligibility remaining, and possibly a second should he apply for and receive a medical redshirt after missing Iowa State's entire 2024 season. • Saw action in seven games last fall, producing 5 tackles and a quarterback hurry. • Arrived at Iowa State as a walk-on in 2022 after earning third-team all-state honors following his senior season at City High in Iowa City. Returnee Cam Smith will be looking for a bigger role this season after seeing action in one game as a true freshman. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS