Penn State has a new linebacker corps. Standout Abdul Carter will line up at defensive end, while burly outside linebacker Curtis Jacobs will head to the NFL after signing an undrafted free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Still, familiar names still headline the group, with a solid group of breakout freshmen from 2023. First-year defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Tom Allen has a talented but somewhat inexperienced group that could see changes in placement next season. Next up in our Penn State position breakdown series is linebacker.
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Allen will have to make up for 98 tackles (14.5 for loss) and seven sacks in 2023 with the departure of Jacobs and replacement with Carter, who will play linebacker situationally next season. Both players have been at the top of Penn State's defensive rankings since starting their respective careers with the Nittany Lions, and finding their replacements will be difficult.
Kobe King has developed into a great leader at middle linebacker, and Dom DeLuca has been reliable since going from walk-on to scholarship player. Tony Rojas, who was one of the top rookies on defense last year, is a player to keep an eye on as he will fill a role that complements Carter's contributions.
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Alphas
Two years ago, King competed with Tyler Elsdon for the starting middle linebacker position, but Elsdon ultimately won. But as a second-year, King found consistency and comfort in Manny Diaz's defense, and by the end of the year, he was Mike's go-to guy. In 2023, King was second on the team with 59 tackles and six tackles for loss, leaving no doubt as to his starting spot. King is a hard hitter who excels at blocking running lanes and has become a strong voice in the locker room.
Rojas can and should be the star of the Allen defense. He played in all 13 games as a freshman and recorded 22 tackles. His big announcement for the Big Ten came at the University of Maryland, where he recorded interceptions on back-to-back drives and forced a fumble in the fourth quarter. Rojas has gained 40 to 45 pounds since arriving on campus last January, with little sacrifice in speed and agility.
Players you don't know yet
Redshirt freshman Kaveion Keyes played in two games last season but made notable contributions to the developmental squad. Strength coach Chuck Losey gave a shoutout to Keys, who turned his redshirt year into a development award on defense and special teams. The former North Carolina graduate, who committed to Penn State late in the recruiting process, said he was a “late bloomer” in high school but has one thing that sets him apart: speed. That's certainly something defensive coordinator Tom Allen was aware of when trying to bring him to Indiana.
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Problems with the position
A major issue is depth, which was exacerbated by an injury to redshirt sophomore Keon Wiley in the spring (first reported by Blue White Illustrated). Besides King, Elsdon and DeLuca, Penn State doesn't have any linebackers who have played starter-type snaps. Although Rojas has played significant minutes, he will likely have some growing pains as he steps into the spotlight. And, as BWI reported, the depth of the squad will be further tested as Wylie will be sidelined for a “significant” amount of time.
Penn State may need a young player or two to emerge who can make some decent contributions. However, one factor that may alleviate that impact may be the nature of the defense. Penn State will use his 4-2-5 lineup a lot and a new “lion” position in the secondary, which will alleviate the lack of depth at linebacker. Carter's positional flexibility will also help.
Can Penn State win the Big Ten with this position group?
That's yet to be determined. The top ends of the group have the potential to be blue-chip talent. King is developing as a middle linebacker, and the program is eagerly awaiting Rojas' first chance to become a starter. Penn State knows what to expect from DeLuca and Elsdon. Whether the Nittany Lions can perform well in conference play with this group will depend on 1) staying healthy and 2) finding contributors outside of the top four.
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Max Ralph is a senior at Pennsylvania State University majoring in broadcast journalism with minors in sports studies and Japanese. He previously covered Penn State football for the Daily Collegian for two years and has also reported for the Associated Press and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter (X) @maxralph_ and Instagram @mralph_59.
