Tony Rojas has the skill set and potential to be the next in Penn State's lineage of elite linebackers. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
One of Penn State Football head coach Matt Campbell‘s top priorities in his first season at the helm in Happy Valley is going to be rebuilding the culture, which could start by setting the tone on defense.
The lineage of Linebacker U will continue in 2026, thanks in large part to returning playmakers like LaVar Arrington Jr., and former five-star commit Tony Rojas this fall, with Campbell importing a mindset of inflicting brutal physicality up front from his time in Iowa City.
A New Brand of Penn State Physicality: Setting the Tone on Defense
As spring practices came to an end, Campbell opened up about his optimism that Penn State’s linebackers can not just become a strength of the defense, but that this spring proved invaluable for getting some of the most experienced players at the position some meaningful reps to get them up to speed long before September.
“It’s a totally different defense for some of the Iowa State players,” Campbell told reporters, at the end of spring practices last month. “When you talk about [Cael] Brezina, and you talk about Kooper Ebel, and you talk about Caleb Bacon, we’re coming down a three-down front to a four-down front.
“But, what’s been fun [is] to watch that group really grow. I thought Kooper Ebel, we felt like, was one of the best linebackers in the country coming back, and I think he has really grown himself forward. He’s a guy who’s played a lot of football.
Ebel, 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, followed Campbell to Penn State, via the transfer portal, and is looking to build on a career-high 77 total tackles with one sack and one forced fumble as the heartbeat of the Cyclones’ defense last season.
Simplifying the Scheme: The Impact of D’Anton Lynn
There’s no question that Ebel is a big piece of the puzzle as Campbell builds out Penn State’s defense, but how the linebacking corps as a group handled this spring is going to pay some big dividends.
One of the biggest complaints from players, and staff members alike, about former Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, was how daunting a challenge learning the scheme was for players and how many months it took to master the verbiage and concepts.
That’s not going to be the case for Campbell, or defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, or at least that’s the goal.
“I thought those guys adapted and tried to tailor-make what those guys can do,” Campbell explained. “And, obviously to get a guy like Tony [Rojas] back, and get those guys back, it’s a room that we have a lot of confidence in. We’re really excitd about that group and how can we play to their strengths, as the season kind of comes their way.”
‘Came out of nowhere for us’ Matt Campbell names surprising Penn State Football spring MVP
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Lombardo is the founder, editor, and lead National NFL Reporter for Between The Hashmarks, and an on-air sports contributor for FOX 29 in Philadelphia.
Lombardo has a deeply rooted passion for Penn State sports, including as a season ticket holder for Penn State Football.
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