Jim Knowles ‘In Search Of’ Linebackers; But May Have Found Answers

Leonard Nimoy played one of his most iconic roles as the presenter on the documentary series “In Search Of.” In the series, Nimoy would narrate and present on various topics. These ranged from historical events, science, and even the paranormal. 

Penn State’s resident football genius is defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. He is as close to Nimoy when it comes to intelligence. He also matches Nimoy’s understanding of the science of almost anything. 

Knowles, like Nimoy, is very precise in his delivery when asked about the depth of his linebacker room beyond Amare Campbell, Dom DeLuca, and Tony Rojas. 

“Still searching,” Knowles said last week, “that’s a work in progress.”

At the top end of the curve, Knowles is happy with his starters in the room. He is especially pleased with Campbell and Rojas.

“He’s (Campbell) got really good football intelligence, you know, and he’s a solid tackler, and he’s been able to operate and learn the scheme,” Knowles said of the former North Carolina linebacker. 

“He’s studious, you know. You can see on tape from his previous stop that he could, you know, make tackles, but you don’t really know about his football intelligence, and I’ve been happy with that and the way he asked questions and wanted to get it right.”

When it comes to Rojas, Knowles is equally impressed from the junior linebacker from Fairfax, Virginia.

“I’ve been impressed. You know, he has a high level linebacker traits in terms of his physical skills, and he’s playing a lot more physically than I saw on film in the past, and he’s, he’s learning the scheme, you know, which can allow him to know where the ball is going to be, you know, before it gets there. So he can play even faster. But he’s got a real, real speed and playmaking ability you know that you look for from a linebacker at this level.” 

Beyond the veteran stewardship, Knowles and the staff are beginning to rave. They are excited about one of their most raw prospects. He is the talented true freshman, Alex Tatsch. 

Tatsch finished his prep career as the all-time leading tackler in the history of Greater Latrobe (Latrobe, Pennsylvania). 

During Tatsch’s final two seasons, he had 151 tackles and 20 tackles for loss. 

That ability to be a game breaker on the defense has opened the door for him to burn his redshirt. 

Penn State’s all time leader tackler, Dan Connor, is Tatsch’s position coach and has raved about the Latrobe product, even gave the freshman the highest of compliments.

“He’s wired the same way I was at that age,” Connor said. “He’s probably a lot more mature than I was, but it’s similar wiring to what Tony (Rojas) has. I was incredibly hard on myself. I was highly competitive. I wanted to be not just the best on the team. I wanted to be the best linebacker in the country, and that was the goal through my whole process. It’s nothing I would say out loud or talk about, but I had my mind set on that. A lot of the guys have that similar trait, but there’s something with Tatsch that does remind me of a younger version of me, aside from the fact he looks like me and acts like me somehow. It’s kinda creepy.”

Tatsch got his first snaps against Villanova, where he was on the field for 21 snaps making three tackles. 

It only has added to the possibilities that Knowles has for Tatsch.

“We’re trying to bring Tatsch into the mix. You know, again, he’s a true freshman, so that’s difficult, but we think he has the skills to do it. So we’ve been really trying to get him into the mix, you know, to see how far he can progress this year.”

Others in the mix include redshirt junior Keon Wylie and sophomore Anthony Speca, each has participated in 44 snaps through three games this season. 

Knowles realizes for Penn State to prosper against tougher competition and be better in third down situations, the play at linebacker has to improve. There isn’t anywhere else Knowles can canvas for linebackers, but the search may have ended with a young prodigy from Latrobe.