Head coach Matt Campbell and Penn State football have an essential piece of their defense returning in 2026. Amidst announcements of Nittany Lions planning their departure via the Transfer Portal, linebacker Tony Rojas gave a heartfelt, motivating message to the blue and white.
His statement posted on social media read:
"The past three seasons have been an incredible ride with a lot of historic moments and lifetime memories I will be able to hold onto. But as we all know, this season was nothing but a roller coaster and I was in disbelief and hurt when I went down. I felt like I let myself down and most importantly my teammates down. Coach Terry has been nothing but a mentor and a motivator during this time, and he led our team to where we finished the season.
"With that being said after lots of talks with my family and close ones, I will be returning to Penn State for my senior year.
"I'm ready to finish what me and my teammates started and am ready to flip this thing and tell an incredible story with coach Campbell and his new staff. I have 100% belief in what coach Campbell will do here at Penn State and it's only right for me to stay and help lead the way to bring this place to where it is meant to be."
A major piece of Penn State’s defense will be back in 2026.
— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) January 1, 2026
Tony Rojas announces his return. #WeAre #PennState pic.twitter.com/BBOf6V58Ea
Linebacker Tony Rojas announces his return to Penn State for senior season in 2026
Rojas' return was questionable. After his injury, which he successfully received surgery for midseason, he was one of the loudest voices backing interim head coach Terry Smith. While Smith remains on the staff, many players made claims that they'll stay at Penn State if Smith gets the full-time gig. In Rojas' silence since head coach Matt Campbell got the job, no one knew what Rojas' plans were.
Smith staying on the staff is definitely a huge swaying point for a Nittany Lion who outwardly supported him. No matter what the reason is or what factors played into his decision, Campbell retained a critical player. Not only is Rojas a veteran leader, he is an impact defenseman.
The linebacker has 105 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, four interceptions and one pick six, three sacks, and one forced fumble. That's over a total of 33 career games. He made 13 appearances as a freshman in 2023 and 16 in 2024. As a sophomore, he had 58 tackles, six tackles for loss, three interceptions, four passes defensed, and one sack.
He was on a path to make another leap in his collegiate career in 2025. In his abbreviated junior season where he made four game appearances before his injury, Rojas had 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one pass defensed. Losing him immediately bruised the team. Penn State's defense went from sturdy and threatening to exposed from Week 5 to Week 6. After Oregon, the Nittany Lions' defense looked weak against a much less intimidating and unranked UCLA team that just fired its head coach.
Rojas makes a clear impact, and if he comes back from injury ready to put his foot on the gas, Penn State will reap the benefits of his return very quickly.