UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State redshirt junior linebacker Tony Rojas was tabbed as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. He is one of 15 semifinalists for the honor.
The Butkus Award, in its 42nd year, is presented to the top linebacker in the country.
Tony Rojas · R-Jr. · LB · 6-2 · 236 · Fairfax, Va. · Fairfax
- Named midseason first-team All-American by On3.
- Tabbed midseason second-team All-American by the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated.
- Added to Bednarik Award midseason watch list.
- Selected to the Comeback Player of the Year, Hispanic College Football Player of the Year and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists.
- Also named to the Senior Bowl 300.
- Has played in 40 games and made 27 starts at Penn State.
- Has collected 161 tackles (85 solo), 24.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, six interceptions (one touchdown) and seven pass breakups in his career.
- His six career interceptions are tied-most among current FBS linebackers and tied for the PSU linebackers career record with Lance Mehl (6; 1978-79) and Scott Radecic (6; 1982-83).
- Rojas is one of two active FBS players with 24+ tackles for loss and 6+ interceptions in their career.
- Since 1956, he is one of nine Big Ten linebackers to post 24+ tackles for loss and 6+ interceptions in their career.
- In 2026, Rojas leads PSU with 56 tackles, 29 solo tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions.
- He’s the only FBS player with 10.5+ tackles for loss and 2+ interceptions this season.
- Rojas is currently riding streaks of 10+ tackles in three-straight games and 1+ sack in four-straight games.
- He tallied two tackles for loss and a sack against Marshall (9/5) and an interception at Temple (9/12).
- Rojas collected two tackles for loss, one sack and an interception against Wisconsin (9/26).
- He had a career-high 12 tackles and career-best 3.5 tackles for loss (one sack) at Northwestern (10/2).
- He recorded 10 tackles, a solo sack and a forced fumble against USC (10/10) and led PSU with 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack at Michigan (10/17).
The Butkus Award is named in honor of the late Dick Butkus. The 51-person Butkus Award selection committee, comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists, guides the selection process, emphasizing qualities that defined Dick Butkus’ career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills. The award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball, on their feet, in a two-point stance in traditional form.
Finalists for the Butkus Award will be announced on November 20. The winner will be revealed during the week of December 7.
Penn State hosts Purdue on Saturday, October 31 at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2026 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.