Penn State’s Next Chapter Begins - And All Eyes Are on Rocco Becht
Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson marks more than just the end of the season for Penn State - it’s the closing chapter of one era and the beginning of another. Once the final whistle blows, the Nittany Lions will officially turn the page and start building toward a new identity under head coach Matt Campbell.
Campbell, who stepped in after James Franklin’s midseason dismissal, brings a proven track record from Iowa State - and potentially, a familiar face under center. The connection that’s catching the attention of college football insiders? Rocco Becht.
Becht, Campbell’s starting quarterback at Iowa State, still has eligibility remaining. And with Campbell reportedly bringing much of his staff with him to State College, the dots are easy to connect. In fact, some analysts are already projecting Becht to be Penn State’s starting quarterback in 2026.
Becht isn’t just a name fans are tossing around - his college résumé speaks for itself. Over his career, he’s thrown for 9,274 yards and 64 touchdowns, showing both the arm talent and consistency that coaches crave.
He’s also shown he can move the chains with his legs, rushing for eight touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. That dual-threat ability could be a game-changer in the Big Ten, especially with Campbell’s offensive system that’s known for maximizing quarterback versatility.
Of course, the quarterback room at Penn State isn’t empty. Ethan Grunkemeyer, the current incumbent, hasn’t announced his plans for next season.
And with the transfer portal as active as ever, there are plenty of other signal-callers on the move. But the connection between Campbell and Becht is more than just a coincidence - it’s rooted in years of collaboration and success.
This kind of continuity can be huge during a coaching transition. If Becht were to follow Campbell to Penn State, it would give the program a quarterback who already knows the system, the language, and the expectations. That’s a massive head start for a team trying to re-establish itself in a tough conference.
The Pinstripe Bowl may be the last game of the 2025 season, but for Penn State, the real story is what comes next. And if Rocco Becht is part of that future, the Nittany Lions could be getting a quarterback who brings both production and poise - and who’s already earned the trust of the man now leading the program.