Big Ten-tested linebacker with upside, but still a work in progress
Anthony Speca entered the 2026 cycle as a former Penn State linebacker who played in 17 games over two seasons and totaled 14 tackles, including eight in 2024 and six in 2025. He stood out early for his downhill run defense and tackling—his 2024 freshman grades reportedly included an 84.6 run-defense mark and 81.7 tackling grade—and he brings the kind of energy and physicality coaches love in a linebacker room. The catch: he’s still more projection than finished product, so he fits best with a team that wants a young, athletic defender who can develop into a reliable Big Ten contributor.
