LBU is reloading.

Four-star Class of 2023 linebacker Tony Rojas verbally committed to Penn State football Thursday afternoon. Rojas became the team’s 18th recruit in the current recruiting cycle.

Rojas’ commitment comes after June 17 official visit to Happy Valley. Rojas selected Penn State over defending national champion Georgia, Clemson, and Miami, among others.

At Fairfax High School, Rojas is a dominant two-way player on the gridiron, as well as a contributing member of the school’s basketball team. In addition to playing linebacker, Rojas earned ample touches at running back and wide receiver. Last season, Rojas recorded a team-high 1836 yards in total offense and 29 touchdowns, en route to an All-Metropolitan nod from the Washington Post.

To see the 6’1.5″, 200-pound linebacker in action, check out Rojas’ Hudl highlight tape.

Hailing from Fairfax, Virginia, Rojas is the state’s No. 3 overall prospect and the country’s eight-best linebacker recruit, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Rojas is the third-highest ranked high school linebacker recruited by Franklin, trailing only Brandon Smith and Curtis Jacobs. The commitment comes as Penn State attempts to rebuild a linebacking room that saw three starters leave for the NFL.

After seeming to prioritize Pennsylvania in pursuit of the Class of 2022, it appears James Franklin and his staff have undergone a shift in focus. Twelve of Penn State’s current 18 recruits come from outside the team’s home state, whereas the Nittany Lions had secured more commits from Pennsylvania than all other states combined this time last year.

In Virginia alone, Penn State’s Class of 2023 snagged two of the state’s top three recruits: Rojas and five-star offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier. James Franklin and Co. also secured the top recruit in New York, which they haven’t done since Adisa Isaac joined the Class of 2019. Add in recent wins in southern recruiting battles, such as flipping four-star defensive back Elliot Washington from Alabama, and claims of a newfound aggression from the Nittany Lions become increasingly convincing.

Rojas joins Penn State’s No. 6 ranked Class of 2023, which is also second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State. The defensive side of the class is headlined by highly sought-after defensive recruits Tomarrion Parker, King Mack, and Conrad Hussey.