There are plenty of expectations for Penn State’s defense ahead of the 2024 season.

Despite losing several notable pieces after the 2023 season, new defensive coordinator Tom Allen isn’t short on talent in many spots. The likes of Abdul Carter, Dani Dennis-Sutton, AJ Harris, and more have kept the Nittany Lions in the conversation for a bid to the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Penn State has lost two of its best from its linebacker group with Curtis Jacobs going pro and Carter moving to the defensive line. Those two departures from the room massively affected the depth chart, as there is no longer an incumbent starter at a position that has produced so many elite players that it has been heralded “Linebacker U” by many Penn State players and fans alike.

Enter Tony Rojas and Ta’Mere Robinson. Rojas and Robinson were both four stars in the recruiting class of 2023, and they’ve taken noticeable strides in their development since arriving in Happy Valley a year ago.

Rojas, a Virginia native, played in all 13 games last season. He made 21 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, forced a fumble, and had an interception against Maryland. His mental and physical progress over the offseason has stood out and been noticed by James Franklin.

“I think everybody kind of had noticed Rojas already. Obviously, the numbers that have been reported and just looking at him, he obviously looks different, as well,” Franklin said.

“[He’s] just stepping up, a great offseason, and is doing things the right way,” Allen said. “Couldn’t be more proud of him and pleased with him, and to me, it’s just carried over into training camp.”

The 6’2″, 225-pound Rojas doesn’t just look different. He said he feels different, and he believes his game is going to be noticeable this fall.

“I feel like my speed has gotten faster,” Rojas said. “And just me in the box, I feel like my agility has gotten better, so everyone will see it.”

Rojas will likely be relied upon significantly given the strides he’s made thus far. As with every preseason, there’s still an ongoing position battle, and the outcome isn’t entirely certain since there aren’t any incumbent starters. But if anything, Rojas appears to have had the inside track to earning the job for quite some time.

Rojas isn’t the only one who’s gained praise from Franklin. His teammate, Robinson, also stood out quickly.

“A guy that right away to me, when we went out in the field on the first day was Ta’Mere. Ta’Mere looked different. He really looked good. You noticed that right away,” Franklin said.

Robinson is slightly bigger than Rojas, standing 6’3″ and 230 pounds. The Pittsburgh native only appeared in three games last season, making two tackles against UMass.

The redshirt freshman played safety a great deal throughout high school. He found out he was going to play linebacker during his junior year because coaches who were recruiting him believed his size was better suited for the position. It was one of the factors that influenced his decision to choose Penn State.

Robinson feels ready to make an impact this season not only as a linebacker but potentially on special teams.

“I’m gonna go out there and make a lot of production, whether it be a guy on special teams or if the coaches put me on defense,” Robinson said.

Robinson’s path to the starting job isn’t as clear as Rojas’, mostly due to experience. Redshirt junior Kobe King was all but named the starting mike linebacker, as defensive coordinator Tom Allen said he’ll be wearing the green dot helmet to communicate with the coaches during games.

Robinson said he’s also had a good relationship with Allen as the new defensive coordinator has adjusted to life at his latest Big Ten institution.

“He’s been great, having a fresh start with new coaches is obviously the best for everybody,” Robinson said. “I took advantage of that by just asking questions and getting in the meeting room with him, and just building a relationship with him. He’s a great guy. He wants the best for all his guys on the defense.”