When you’re known as Linebacker U, the bar is set high - and Penn State has lived up to that billing for decades. From Jack Ham’s Hall of Fame legacy to Micah Parsons’ NFL dominance, the Nittany Lions have built a linebacker tradition that’s as rich as any in college football. Now, with a new head coach at the helm and fresh faces in the linebacker room, the question is: who’s next in line?
New head coach Matt Campbell brought some familiar names with him from Iowa State - Caleb Bacon, Carl Brezina, and Kooper Ebel - all of whom played under him in Ames. But it might just be a holdover from last year’s roster, sophomore Alex Tatsch, who has the inside track to become the next big name in Penn State’s linebacker lineage.
Tatsch, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound middle linebacker out of Latrobe High School, saw meaningful snaps down the stretch last season - and made the most of them. He appeared in six games, burning his redshirt, and recorded 14 tackles, including one for loss, along with a pass breakup. He stepped into a critical role late in the season after Tony Rojas went down with a season-ending injury ahead of the UCLA game, and he didn’t look out of place.
Campbell, who’s just settling into his new role in Happy Valley, didn’t hold back when asked about Tatsch.
“I think Tatsch has got a chance to be one of the great linebackers of all time here,” Campbell said last Wednesday. “I love his video. I love what he’s about.”
That’s not just coach-speak. It’s a strong endorsement from a coach who’s worked with his share of high-level defenders. And it speaks to the kind of offseason buzz Tatsch is generating behind the scenes.
Tatsch’s commitment to the program has been evident. He announced his return on New Year’s Day with a photo of himself kneeling in the end zone - a quiet but powerful message that he’s locked in for 2026.
He’ll be competing in a linebacker room that’s suddenly very competitive. Along with the trio from Iowa State, Penn State also brought in Tyson Veidt as linebackers coach. Veidt, who served as Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator the past two seasons, reunites with Campbell and brings a strong track record of developing linebackers.
There’s still a lot to sort out before the Nittany Lions take the field again, including the format and date for the annual Blue-White spring game at Beaver Stadium. But one thing is already becoming clear: Alex Tatsch is a name to watch. If he builds on last season’s flashes and embraces the leadership role that comes with experience, he could be the next great in a long line of Penn State linebackers.
And at Linebacker U, that’s saying something.