Gameday

Tony Rojas feels himself after ACL recovery

UNIVERSITY PARK -- In last week's weekly press conference just four days before the Marshall game, Penn State coach Matt Campbell said there was a possibility of some players coming back from injuries to be put on a pitch count.

Clearly he did not mean for Tony Rojas to play as much as he did in the season opener vs. Marshall.

Rojas tore his ACL in the Oregon game in late September and was lost for the rest of the season.

He played 35 snaps against the Thundering Herd, which was the highest number of plays for anyone on the defensive side of the ball for the Nittany Lions.

"I feel great. I feel like the old Tony. I feel back to normal," Rojas said.

PSU's defense did not look the same after Rojas went down last season. In a lot of ways, some think that was a big factor in why the Lions' season played out the way it did -- a disappointing 6-6 after having national championship aspirations in the preseason.

Rojas' time on the shelf wasn't all a waste, though. He spent a lot of time studying film while he was injured, ranging from his own game film to some of the most successful linebackers in the game.

Not only did he watch the San Francisco 49ers' four-time All-Pro Fred Warner, but he also took a look at first-round draft pick Sonny Styles out of Ohio State and the Miami Dolphins' second-round pick in Jacob Rodriguez.

"Just seeing tendencies and things I can improve on that those guys have done at the highest level," Rojas said.

Rojas looked quick in his 2026 debut last weekend, and turned in a solid day with a team-high seven tackles, including two for a loss. He also picked up a sack and a quarterback hit.

"It feels good to be back out there, and just having fun with the guys," Rojas said. "For me, it's about building my confidence every game. I felt really good today."

One of the aspects that Campbell appreciates the most in Rojas' game is his multiplicity. Campbell made note of that after Saturday's game.

"He can do so many different things and just do a great job of putting guys in position to be successful," Campbell said.

On a team that's filled with transfers, Rojas is one of the most recognizable faces on the team that was also with the Nittany Lions last year. He's now a redshirt junior because of the injury, but has been a factor in the Lions' defense as far back as 2023.

"I feel more responsibility of being a leader, obviously just being a vet," Rojas said. "Obviously growing each year. I'm just having wisdom for the guys and just being someone that's approachable for everyone."