Junior linebacker Tony Rojas was slated to have an impressive season with Penn State football. Head coach James Franklin anticipated the veteran defender's success due to a healthy season after injury caused inconsistency in his 2024 season. At the start of the season, Rojas was enjoying the freedom that came with being healthy and not disrupted by injury. He said he felt like his focus tunnel visioned on playmaking.
Now, injury halts his success again.
Rojas will be out for an extended period of time due to an undisclosed, long-term injury, as reported by BlueWhite Illustrated. Four games in, this is less than ideal for the Nittany Lions (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) who need to be as strong as ever for an all-in 2025 season.
Tony Rojas sustains undisclosed, long-term injury, ruling him out for an extended period of time
#BREAKING: Top Penn State defender Tony Rojas will miss significant time with a long-term injury, Blue-White Illustrated has learned.
— Blue White Illustrated (@PennStateOn3) October 1, 2025
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Rojas recorded 25 tackles so far in his junior campaign. He also logged two sacks against Villanova in Week 3. He was the standout defensemen against the Wildcats and also helped Penn State shutout Florida International the week prior. Rojas had 4.5 tackles for loss (tied for first on the team), two quarterback hurries, and one pass breakup over the first four games.
The Nittany Lions defense is powered by veteran strength and consistency. While the linebacker room still has Amare Campbell in charge, leading the team with 37 total tackles, the absence of Rojas will be felt. The two are the top two leaders on defense in tackles while Rojas and Dani Dennis-Sutton are tied for first in sacks. The next most effective linebacker is Keon Wylie who recorded just five tackles in four games.
“I’ve been impressed. You know, [Rojas] has a high level linebacker traits in terms of his physical skills . . . he’s playing a lot more physically than I saw on film in the past. And he’s learning the scheme, which can allow him to know where the ball is going to be before it gets there,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said of Rojas in the bye week. “. . . he’s got a real speed and playmaking ability that you look for from a linebacker at this level."
Penn State will have to look for other stars on defense to mimic that production and fill in. Franklin and Knowles have playmakers, and there's an opening for others to shine through. How long that takes is a different concern. That gap needs to be filled somehow, someway as soon as possible.