Only Anthony Speca Until Penn State Football

Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images for ONIT

With 40 days until Penn State’s season opener against Nevada, we’re highlighting redshirt freshman linebacker Anthony Speca.

Speca is a Pennsylvania native and heads into his second season with a bit of momentum. Due to Kari Jackson’s lingering injuries last year, Speca got all of the reserve snaps among freshmen linebackers. He appeared in six games in 2024 — including the Big Ten Championship and the SMU playoff game — and contributed eight tackles.

After a solid spring, Speca is expected to be high

on the depth chart in Jim Knowles’ 4-2-5 scheme in 2025, although he now has to compete with UNC transfer Amare Campbell.

More from blackshoediaries.com:

• Three Takeaways From Penn State’s 45-14 Win Over Indiana
• The Tale of a First Quarter: Penn State 45, Indiana 14
• A Special Defensive Performance Leads The Way For Penn State Football
• Creeping the B1G: Wisconsin Escapes, Maybe
• Position Grades: Indiana
• Saquon Barkley Can Literally Do Everything
• Saquon Barkley Continues To Amaze