The 2025 season was supposed to be Tony Rojas’ breakout party. The junior linebacker, affectionately nicknamed the “Virginia Missile” for his sideline-to-sideline speed, was slated to be the heir apparent to the LBU throne.
Instead, a torn pectoral muscle in Week 4 against Illinois ended his campaign before it truly began.
Now, as Penn State prepares for the 2026 season, Rojas returns not just as a player, but as the unquestioned leader of a defense in transition. With captains Kobe King and Abdul Carter departing for the NFL, the spotlight shifts squarely to No. 13.
The Scouting Report: Speed Kills
Rojas is the prototype for the modern college linebacker. In an era where offenses spread the field horizontally, the thump-and-fill linebacker is a dying breed. You need speed. Rojas has it in spades.
Strengths:
- Range: Rojas can erase angles. He turns “good” perimeter runs into 2-yard gains because he beats the running back to the edge.
- Coverage Ability: A former high school running back, he understands route concepts and has the hips to run with tight ends and slot receivers.
- Blitz Timing: He hits gaps with violence. Before his injury in 2025, he had already recorded 4.5 tackles for loss in just 3.5 games.
Recovery Update: Rojas underwent surgery in October 2025.
- Status: Cleared for non-contact drills in Winter 2026.
- Expectation: Full contact by the Blue-White Game in April.
“It was hard watching from the sidelines while we struggled. But I learned a lot seeing the game from a coach’s perspective. I’m coming back smarter and faster.” — Tony Rojas
2026 Role: The New “Mike” or “Will”?
The biggest question for new Defensive Coordinator Tyson Veidt is where to deploy his best weapon.
Option A: The Mike (Middle)
- Pros: Puts him in the center of the action; allows him to call the defense.
- Cons: Forces him to take on 300-pound guards constantly, which might be risky coming off a pec injury.
Option B: The Will (Weakside)
- Pros: Allows him to “run and chase” protected by the defensive line. Maximizes his speed.
- Cons: Might marginalize his leadership if he’s not making the calls.
Antigravity’s Projection: We expect Rojas to start at Will Linebacker, allowing him to play freely in space while a stouter thumper (like Ta’Mere Robinson or a transfer) handles the middle. This mimics how Penn State successfully used Micah Parsons early in his career.
Statistical Projection
If he stays healthy for a full 12-game slate, Rojas has All-American potential.
2026 Stat Prediction:
- Tackles: 105 (Team Leader)
- Tackles for Loss: 14.0
- Sacks: 4.5
- Interceptions: 2
The Verdict
Penn State’s defense took a step back in 2025, largely due to a lack of speed at the second level after Rojas went down. His return changes the geometry of the defense. He is the one player on the 2026 roster who can single-handedly wreck an offensive game plan. If the “Virginia Missile” is back to full flight, the Nittany Lions’ defense will be formidable again.