Matt Campbell’s first season at the helm of Penn State football is already taking shape - and it starts with a quarterback he knows better than most.
Rocco Becht, the veteran signal-caller who spent the last three seasons leading Iowa State, is headed to Happy Valley for his final year of eligibility. And if you ask Campbell, this reunion was more than just a roster move - it was a foundational piece of the program’s next chapter.
“I’ve always felt that the quarterback and the head football coach have to be tied at the hip,” Campbell said Wednesday, during his first media appearance since December’s introductory press conference. “Their leadership is so critical to the entirety of the football program… Rocco has always been that for us.”
Becht brings more than just familiarity. With 26 career wins under his belt, he enters 2026 as the winningest returning quarterback in the FBS. That’s not just experience - that’s a track record of delivering results.
He was one of the most coveted names in the transfer portal this offseason, reportedly topping the wish list at 10 different programs. Lane Kiffin and LSU were among the high-profile suitors, but Becht chose to follow his former coach to Penn State - a decision that speaks volumes about the bond between player and coach.
He won’t be alone in making the move from Ames to State College. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser and quarterbacks coach Jake Waters, both former Cyclone staffers, are also part of Campbell’s new-look Penn State staff. That continuity could be a game-changer for Becht as he steps into a new conference and a new system - that’s not really new at all.
“He’s what I believe Penn State football is,” Campbell said. “Integrity, character, class, excellence, grit.
He embodies every one of those traits. So to me, that was a critical opportunity for him to finish his career with us.
To get someone who I truly believe embodies what the excellence of this football program has stood for, on and off the field.”
Becht’s numbers at Iowa State back up the praise. Over three seasons, he threw for 9,209 yards and 64 touchdowns while completing 61% of his passes. His 2024 campaign was his best - a breakout season with 3,505 passing yards, 25 touchdowns through the air, and eight more on the ground, helping lead the Cyclones to 11 wins.
The 2025 season was a different story. Becht battled through a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, yet still managed to throw for 2,584 yards and 16 touchdowns despite the injury. It wasn’t just about numbers - it was about grit.
“He’s one of the greatest leaders I’ve ever been around,” Campbell said. “This poor guy, he played with a torn labrum on his non-throwing shoulder.
He had to get shot up every Tuesday and Wednesday just to practice the last four weeks and play. And that guy gave us a chance to win every one of those games every step of the way.
He’s as tough and as competitive as any football player I’ve been around.”
Becht’s arrival at Penn State coincides with the departure of Ethan Grunkemeyer, who transferred to Virginia Tech after a promising end to last season. Grunkemeyer stepped in after Drew Allar’s season-ending injury and completed 69% of his passes for 1,234 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions across seven games. He now reunites with James Franklin in Blacksburg.
With Becht stepping in as QB1 and a familiar coaching staff around him, Campbell’s first year in Happy Valley won’t be about starting from scratch - it’ll be about building on a foundation that’s already been tested and proven.