Pennsylvania's Top Linebacker Commits to Penn State

Anthony Speca, a 4-star prospect from Pittsburgh, joins the Lions' 2024 recruiting class.

Penn State added to a strong linebacker group Tuesday, when 4-start prospect Anthony Speca announced his commitment to the Lions' 2024 recruiting lass. Speca made the announcement on social media.

A junior at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Speca is the second player to commit to Penn State's 2024 class. He joins lineman Cooper Cousins, who announced his commitment in January 2022.

HOME 🦁🦁 #WEARE @PennStateFball @coachjfranklin @Coach_MannyDiaz @CoachTerryPSU @Coachdanconnor pic.twitter.com/hgsEYNTfhv

— Anthony Speca (@aspeca6) January 17, 2023

Speca is among the top-rated players in Pennsylvania, according to 247Sports. He holds a 4-star composite rating and is the No. 9 linebacker in Pennsylvania.

Speca, who recently attended a recruiting weekend at Penn State, has offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee and Wisconsin, among many others. The 6-2, 220-pound linebacker helped Central Catholic to the WPIAL Class 6A championship game.

Speca's commitment builds on a strong group of linebackers that Penn State has recruited recently. Abdul Carter was an all-Big Ten player as a freshman, and James Franklin and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz consider the 2023 linebacker recruits to be potential early contributors.

Before the Rose Bowl, both Franklin and Diaz raved about linebackers Tony Rojas, Ta'Mere Robinson and Kaveion Keys.

"The good thing is we have flexibility with all three of those guys," Franklin said. "All three have really good tape. All three of them are really good students. I know they're excited about the opportunity of coming here, coming in and competing in what's going to be one of the better linebacker rooms in the country, especially the way we've been able to get Abdul to develop in his first year on campus.

"It's going to be a fun position to watch over the next year."

Added Diaz, "I think we signed three elite linebackers. Very pleased with that group."

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