Speca is another one of PCC’s critically acclaimed leaders and also one of PA’s finest. He embodies all the classic Penn State LB traits: ferocity, physicality, instincts, and an unyielding drive. The blue-chip recruit boasted more than 20 FBS offers before committing to the Nittany Lions. Anthony’s pad level facilitates impressive lateral movement, while his raw power and explosiveness shine through on numerous impactful tackles on tape. I’m excited to watch Anthony hitting on all cylinders on the field this season. Speca is a 2023 Prep Redzone Preseason First Team All-State pick.

The 1st-Team All-State and 1st-Team All-American linebacker Anthony Speca Anthony Speca 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA goes another update remaining at the top of the linebacker rankings. Although almost every linebacker took a bit of a tumble as far as overall rank goes, Speca still sits as the most college-ready linebacker in the state. He has serious competition breathing down his neck, however. Cameron Lindsey Cameron Lindsey 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Aliquippa | 2024 State PA and teammate Cole Sullivan Cole Sullivan 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA all garnered top LB consideration. Penn State lands yet another top positional player, we see if Speca can put forth a dominant senior campaign, it’ll go a long way in terms of securing the top spot in November.

Penn State landed the top-ranked linebacker in Pennsylvania’s 2024 class, way back in January, just two weeks after New Year’s Day. Pittsburgh Central Catholic’s man in the middle and defensive leader sits as the best front-seven prospect among current PSU commits. Jon Mitchell and Dejuan Lane are the lone defenders ranked above Speca, who might have a special bounce-back season in store for all of us this coming Fall. West Bloomfield’s Kari Jackson stands with Speca in the backer room, excited to see how the LB class grows.

Penn State University’s 2024 class begins to build in-state, securing McDowell HS’s Cooper Cousins Cooper Cousins 6'6" | 310 lbs | OL McDowell | 2024 State PA in January of 2022, as well as securing Pittsburgh Central Catholic linebacker Anthony Speca Anthony Speca 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA just this week. Two commitments in January, albeit a year apart. Cousins and Speca have a few things in common. Both grade out as four-star recruits, both land as top ten prospects on our rankings, and both play ball on the Western side of Pennsylvania. Outside of the above-mentioned Peter Jones Peter Jones 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Malvern Prep | 2024 State PA , no linemen prospect ranks above Cooper Cousins Cooper Cousins 6'6" | 310 lbs | OL McDowell | 2024 State PA . Cousins towers over the majority of this class, standing at an impressive 6’6, weighing in at over 300 pounds. Both Jones and Cousins have battled for offensive linemen supremacy each time we update our rankings. Both are deserving of the top spot.

The latest Pennsylvania domino to fall, the verbal that led to the piece, is top-ranked 2024 linebacker Anthony Speca Anthony Speca 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA , a prospect with hardly any flaws on tape. Other LBs like Dayshaun Burnett Dayshaun Burnett 6'4" | 220 lbs | LB Imani Christian Academy | 2025 State PA and Ta’Mere Robinson Ta’Mere Robinson 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Brashear | 2023 State PA ranked higher in different classes strictly because of the versatility those prospects bring to the table. Speca might not bring the same alignment versatility, yet he’s the top-ranked backer for a reason. Closer to 6’3, 225, Speca has cemented his spot as the class’s top linebacker since we began covering him back in 2021.

Speca is a legit blue-chip recruit that has over 20 FBS offers. He checks all the LB boxes, he’s physical, instinctual, violent & relentless. Anthony has a great pad level which allows him to move laterally quickly. His strength and explosion is evident on several hits in run pursuit on film. The junior LB has been battling injury, but he will most certainly be ready for the undefeated North Allegheny squad. 

Current Offers: Boston College, Cincinatti, Colorado, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, South Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin