Penn State linebacker Alex Tatsch appears to be progressing well in his recovery from an undisclosed injury suffered before the Pinstripe Bowl.
Following Saturday’s Blue-White Practice, Penn State head coach Matt Campbell said Tatsch is slightly ahead of schedule, though the Nittany Lions still expect to be cautious with him through the summer.
“Alex is certainly a little bit ahead of schedule in terms of where we thought he would be,” Campbell said. “But you’ve got to remember, even by the time we get to fall camp, I think he’ll still be limited just because of when that injury occurred.”
Campbell said the hope is that Tatsch will be ready near the beginning of the season, though it may not necessarily be for the opener.
“Our hope is, if he continues to progress, he’ll be ready for the early start of the season, whether that’s game one or game two,” Campbell said. “But I think he’s certainly on track where he needs to be.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Tatsch became an important piece of Penn State’s linebacker rotation last season as PSU dealt with depth issues at the position. He burned his redshirt after appearing in six games, including five consecutive contests beginning with the Ohio State game.
In limited action, Tatsch recorded 14 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. He also showed flashes of reliability as a tackler, posting three games with a Pro Football Focus tackling grade of 70 or higher, including a season-best 80.6 against Nebraska.
In one of Campbell’s first media availabilities, held back in February, he spoke highly of Tatsch’s abilities.
“I think Tatsch has got a chance to be one of the great linebackers of all time here,” Campbell said last Wednesday. “I love his video. I love what he’s about.”
Campbell: Young LB ‘Could be one of the Greatest’ in Penn State History
If healthy, Tatsch could give Penn State another valuable option in its linebacker room early in Campbell’s first season.
