STATE COLLEGE — Tony Rojas was thinking way too much last season. It was a side effect of playing hurt.

On almost every play, the Penn State linebacker’s subconscious would remind him of the pain soon to follow should he lead with his ailing right shoulder. While it wasn’t enough to keep him out of games — Rojas played in every one during the program’s longest season yet — it was enough to slow him down.

“He was not 100%,” Penn State coach James Franklin said.

Rojas needed surgery following Penn State’s loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. He sat out spring practice to recover, but returned to action in time to start fall camp. Now, three games into the season, a healthy Rojas has helped spearhead Penn State’s defensive transition under new coordinator Jim Knowles.

With a Big Ten cha

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