Penn State football linebacker Tony Rojas’ long-term injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Nittany Lions. Through four games, the standout defenseman was second on the team in tackles with 25. He also tallied two sacks and had a pass deflection.

After a deflating loss in the White Out against then-No. 6 Oregon and Rojas’ injury in practice on Tuesday, Penn State’s linebacker room found itself dismantled before its Rose Bowl contest against UCLA.

The Penn State defense struggled against the Bruins, a team that was 0-4 and hadn’t held a lead through the first four games of the season. With Dom DeLuca taking over for Rojas, the depth of the linebacker room looks bleak, with young and untested players now looking to be depended on for valuable reps.

Let’s take a look at how the linebacker depth chart stands after Tony Rojas’ sudden and unexpected exit.

Amare Campbell

There is not enough praise for what Campbell has done for the defense this season. He came into the Penn State program over the offseason and has already solidified himself as a clear-cut leader for the Nittany Lions.

The junior transferred from North Carolina after James Franklin’s announcement of wanting linebacker prospects after the Blue-White Game in the spring. Thus far, he has been the best transfer of this offseason’s signings.

As a Tar Heel, Campbell totaled 90 tackles, 7.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble across two seasons.

Now, five games into his Penn State career, Campbell leads the team in tackles by a mile with 47, the next closest being Zakee Wheatley with 30. His total tackles rank him top 20 in the nation, while his solo tackle count of 29 is amongst the top five. He also has six tackles-for-loss and two sacks this season.

All things considered, Penn State’s defense would be unrecognizable without the transfer who has continued to hold his end of the bargain in terms of production and leadership.

Dom DeLuca

DeLuca had a terrific season in 2024. While he only started five games, DeLuca appeared in 15 games and produced 40 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three interceptions, including the pick-six against SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles runs a 4-2-5 defense with an extra defensive back rather than three linebackers. With Rojas and Campbell earning the starting two linebacker positions, DeLuca hadn’t seen the field much before the trip to Pasadena.

Against the Bruins, DeLuca had 12 tackles and a tackle for loss. While he did finish second on the team in tackles, DeLuca showed his rust and was one of many who failed to contain UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who ran for 128 yards and three touchdowns.

While the stat line looked OK, there is a desperate need for DeLuca to step in as the immediate replacement for Rojas as the will linebacker. After the seasoned veteran, there is a lot of youth that will need to grow up fast if Penn State’s linebacker corps. intends to be a difference-making group.

Anthony Speca

Speca appeared in eight games as a true freshman, making eight tackles. As a redshirt freshman this season, Speca is one of a few young players who will be in the mix for significant playing time.

So far this season, Speca made an appearance in the Nittany Lions’ first three contests, tallying four total tackles.

Out of Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, Speca was rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 9 player in Pennsylvania according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

He was named first-team all-state 6A in 2022 and was a three-time all-conference selection, including first-team honors in 2023. Speca holds Central Catholic’s all-time tackles record with 326 while also tallying 23 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

Speca chose Penn State over offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Florida State.

Alex Tatsch

Tatsch, a true freshman, has only registered a stat in the Nevada game, where he recorded three tackles. Tatsch has been in the conversation of getting the ‘green light’ from the coaching staff when it comes to burning his redshirt.

Similar to Speca, Tatsch was rated a four-star prospect and the No. 8 player in Pennsylvania according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

At Greater Latrobe High School, Tatsch was a first-team All-State selection in Class 4A as a junior and earned three first-team All-Conference selections. He finished as the Wildcats’ all-time leading tackler with 242 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, six interceptions, and six forced fumbles.

The Nittany Lion chose Penn State over schools such as Notre Dame, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.

Cam Smith

Smith, another true freshman, is in a similar boat to Tatsch in terms of his ‘green light.’ He is yet to register a stat on defense this season.

Ranked as a four-star prospect of St. Joseph’s Prep, Smith was ranked as the No. 11 player in Pennsylvania, according to the 247 Sports Composite rankings.

He earned first-team All-Philadelphia Catholic League honors as a senior, second-team All-Philadelphia Catholic League honors as a junior, and second-team All-Tri-County as a freshman.

In his high school career, Smith collected 344 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles.

Smith chose the Nittany Lions over Michigan, Duke, Maryland, Rutgers, and West Virginia.

Keon Wylie

Wylie, a redshirt junior, has not seen the field much in his career at Penn State. This season, he has registered five tackles and a pass deflection in three games.

As a true freshman, Wylie appeared in three games, posting two tackles and half a sack before redshirting. In 2023, he appeared in 13 games on defense and special teams, tallying 17 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks. The Nittany Lion missed the entirety of 2024 with an injury.

Out of high school, Wylie was tabbed as a three-star recruit and No. 13 player in Pennsylvania out of Imhotep Institute, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Wylie chose Penn State over Michigan, Maryland, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M.

DaKaari Nelson

Nelson, a redshirt sophomore, appeared in one game as a true freshman before redshirting. In his redshirt freshman season, Nelson appeared in 14 games, making one start where he tallied five tackles.

Nelson was listed as a four-star recruit and the No. 14 player in Alabama as a safety according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

At Selma High School, Nelson was named first-team all-state in Class 5A three times. He recorded 72 tackles, seven interceptions, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and three defensive touchdowns as a senior.

Nelson chose Penn State over Clemson, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, and Tennessee.