When Matt Campbell made the move from Iowa State to Penn State, it wasn’t just a coaching change - it was a full-on migration. And among the wave of Cyclones heading east, tight end Gabe Burkle stands out as one of the most intriguing additions to the Nittany Lions' roster. At 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, Burkle brings size, experience, and a gritty edge to a position that has long been a cornerstone of Penn State’s offensive identity.
Burkle, now a senior, is no stranger to the grind. Over the past two seasons in Ames, he hauled in 26 receptions each year, with a career-best 302 receiving yards in 2025. He’s not the flashiest player on the field, but he’s consistently productive - the kind of tight end who can quietly move the chains, seal the edge in the run game, and make life easier for both his quarterback and offensive coordinator.
And speaking of familiarity, Burkle’s transition to Happy Valley comes with a built-in comfort zone. He’s reuniting not only with Campbell but also with tight ends coach and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, who helped develop him into a reliable two-way threat at Iowa State. That continuity matters - especially in a system that already leans heavily on its tight ends.
Penn State fans are used to seeing multiple tight ends on the field, and that won’t change anytime soon. Last season, the Nittany Lions essentially ran a three-headed monster at the position with Khalil Dinkins, Andrew Rappleyea, and Luke Reynolds all playing significant snaps. But with Dinkins off to chase NFL dreams and Reynolds now at Virginia Tech, there’s room - and real opportunity - for Burkle to carve out a meaningful role alongside Rappleyea, who ended last season on a strong note and returns as a redshirt junior.
Burkle isn’t coming alone, either. He’s one of three tight ends from Iowa State transferring into the Penn State program, joining fellow senior Benjamin Brahmer - a 2025 second-team All-Big 12 selection - and redshirt sophomore Cooper Alexander.
That’s a lot of experience and chemistry walking into the tight end room, and it’s no coincidence. This is a group that’s already played together, practiced together, and thrived in a system that emphasized their skill sets.
Campbell didn’t hide his admiration for the Burkle-Brahmer duo during his final season in Ames. “We feel like we’ve got two of the best tight ends in college football right now,” he said back in September.
“And those guys continue to make huge plays, not just in the pass game, but certainly in the run game as well.” On Burkle specifically, Campbell added, “He’s done an unbelievable job.
I think he’s playing great football for us.”
Now, that “great football” will be on display in the Big Ten.
Burkle’s journey to this point started back at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was a three-star recruit and the No. 49 tight end in the 2022 class, per 247Sports. He had offers from several Big Ten programs - Indiana, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Kansas State among them - but chose Iowa State. Now, he’s finally getting his shot in the Big Ten, and he’s doing it with a coaching staff that knows exactly how to use him.
Another familiar face on this new-look Penn State squad is quarterback Rocco Becht, who also made the jump from Iowa State. Becht built a strong rapport with Brahmer in Ames, and now he’ll have both Brahmer and Burkle as security blankets in a new offense. That kind of built-in chemistry can’t be overstated - especially as Penn State looks to retool and reload in a conference that’s only getting tougher.
Burkle is expected to get his first reps in March, and he’ll be part of a massive Cyclone contingent now wearing blue and white - over 20 former Iowa State players are on the 2026 Penn State roster. For a program that prides itself on toughness, versatility, and tight end production, Burkle fits the mold. He’s not just another transfer; he’s a plug-and-play piece who brings proven production, system familiarity, and the kind of physicality that Big Ten football demands.
This is more than just a reunion tour - it’s a strategic reload. And Gabe Burkle might just be one of the most important pieces in that puzzle.