For a program that proudly calls itself “Linebacker U,” Penn State hasn’t quite lived up to the billing at that position the past couple of seasons. Depth was thin, and when Tony Rojas went down with a season-ending injury early in 2025, the hole he left behind was glaring. The Nittany Lions simply didn’t have the reinforcements to keep the defense at a high level, and it showed.
But amid the adversity, a new name quietly started to emerge - and now, he’s got the full attention of the new coaching staff.
Freshman linebacker Alex Tatsch burned his redshirt by appearing in six games last season, and while his stat line - 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and a pass breakup - might not jump off the page, the context tells a deeper story. Tatsch saw at least 16 defensive snaps in five of those games, and four of those came after James Franklin was let go and interim coach Terry Smith started giving more run to underclassmen.
That trust paid off. Tatsch flashed enough potential to earn a spot in the plans of new head coach Matt Campbell, who had high praise for the young linebacker when reviewing the roster this week.
“I think Tatsch has a chance to be one of the great linebackers of all time here,” Campbell said. “I love his video. I love what he’s about.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Campbell is already pairing Tatsch with one of the most iconic names in Penn State history - Dan Connor.
The program’s all-time leading tackler is back in the fold, assisting linebackers coach Tyson Veidt after a year as the lead position coach. For Campbell, it didn’t take long to realize Connor was the right fit.
“It took two seconds in the interview to know Dan understands what it takes to coach here,” Campbell said. “I’d go to fight with that guy (Tatsch) right now today. I’d like Dan Connor and him to lead the team out at times.”
That’s not just a nod to Tatsch’s physical tools - though at 6-foot-2, 231 pounds, he checks all the boxes for a Big Ten linebacker - it’s also about his mindset, his work ethic, and the way he handled being thrown into the fire during a chaotic season.
His lone pass breakup of the year was a big one: a clutch third-down deflection in the fourth quarter against eventual national champion Indiana. It was a moment that kept Penn State within striking distance of a major upset, and a glimpse of the kind of impact play he’s capable of making.
Veidt, who knows a thing or two about linebacker development, was impressed not just by Tatsch’s frame, but by how quickly he adjusted to the speed of the college game. Coming out of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Tatsch’s in-state roots and rapid progress have made him a clear favorite within the program.
“I think that’s super impressive,” Veidt said. “And you hope, considering the progress he made in a short period of time with these remaining years, that the sky’s the limit.”
And here’s the thing - Tatsch doesn’t need to be the guy right away. Penn State’s linebacker room is suddenly stacked, thanks in large part to four transfers from Campbell’s old Iowa State squad, three of whom bring senior experience. Add in the return of a healthy Tony Rojas - who was poised for a breakout before his injury - and the group has the kind of depth it’s been missing.
But make no mistake: Tatsch is a key piece of this puzzle. The staff sees it.
His teammates likely feel it. And if his freshman flashes were any indication, Penn State fans should be keeping a close eye on No.
- Because the next great linebacker at Linebacker U might already be on campus - and he’s just getting started.