Penn State sorely missed Tony Rojas after he went down with a season-ending injury.
His absence exposed a glaring lack of depth in the linebackers room, but it was also impossible to replace his elite athleticism and playmaking on defense.
The good news for Penn State in 2026? Rojas is back under coach Matt Campbell and the new staff.
The even better news? He’s “on track” — and maybe even a bit ahead of schedule — in recovering from the lower-body injury.
Rojas said Wednesday that he’ll be fully cleared for summer activity and beyond, giving him plenty of time to ramp up for fall camp and the start of the 2026 season.
“It’s been a challenge. But I just have the right mindset every day I go to rehab,” Rojas said, speaking to media for the first time since announcing his return to Happy Valley. “I feel like I’m punishing the rehab right now, and I’m doing very well. I think it’s all about the mindset. Obviously it was hard at first, but these types of challenges will build a man.”
Rojas suffered the injury, which put him on crutches for some time, in practice the week after the White Out loss to Oregon.
He revealed Wednesday, though, that he was also dealing with a quad contusion that happened against the Ducks. He “fought through” the contusion to finish the game.
“I was just being told to run, and it’ll get better,” Rojas said, adding that he had difficulty doing so with the contusion.
Then came the long-term setback on the first play of team drills.
The now-redshirt junior stayed in State College as he rehabbed the injury. He said he leaned heavily on his mom and sisters throughout the process.
Rojas also added that his mom has undergone “almost 50 surgeries” on her legs, calling her his “inspiration.”
“Knowing she’s been able to do that and walk,” Rojas said, “…I can fight through anything. I feel like this is the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, and I fought through it.”
Rojas has not yet set exact personal goals for this season, but he’ll look to build on what was a promising 2025 with 25 tackles, two sack and a pass breakup in just four games.
As is clear in his 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame, Rojas has all the physical tools. He even acknowledged as much. His focus is on the mental side of the game.
More intense film study, with hopes of better recognizing offensive formations and tendencies, is where he most wants to improve.
He’ll work closely with program great Dan Connor to do so, who is also back as assistant linebackers coach on Campbell’s staff. Rojas indicated Connor’s return played a big factor in his decision to come back, which he announced Jan. 1.
“At the end of the day, I really knew where home was,” Rojas said. “After a lot of prayers and talks with coaches and people back home, there was no other decision.”