Benjamin Brahmer is trading in his Cyclone red for Nittany Lion blue, and he’s not coming to Happy Valley quietly. Among the wave of Iowa State transfers following former head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State, Brahmer stands out as a name to watch - and for good reason. The 6-foot-7, 255-pound tight end brings size, production, and a whole lot of upside to a Penn State offense looking to level up in 2026.
Let’s start with the numbers: Brahmer earned second-team All-Big Ten honors last season after leading Iowa State in receptions (37), receiving yards (446), and touchdowns (6). That’s not just solid production - that’s top-of-the-depth-chart impact.
Over two seasons in Ames, he racked up 75 catches for 977 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging a healthy 13 yards per grab. For a tight end, that kind of efficiency is gold - it speaks to his ability to stretch the field, find seams in coverage, and finish plays in the red zone.
It’s no surprise, then, that 247Sports ranked him as a four-star transfer and slotted him 41st overall in this winter’s portal class. Brahmer isn’t just a nice piece to add - he’s a potential difference-maker.
But his value to Penn State goes beyond the stat sheet. Brahmer reunites with two key figures from his Iowa State days: head coach Matt Campbell and offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Taylor Mouser.
That continuity matters. Mouser, who’s been coaching Brahmer since his arrival in college, knows exactly how to maximize his skill set - and he’s not shy about praising his former (and now current) tight end.
“Ben is a really special football player,” Mouser said last season. “He probably could play wide receiver, running back, maybe even quarterback if we needed him to. He just gets the game.”
That versatility is rooted in Brahmer’s athletic background. In high school, he was a four-sport athlete and the son of a head football coach - a combination that tends to produce high-IQ, high-motor players.
He came out of Pierce High School in Nebraska as a 215-pound, three-star recruit ranked outside the top 100 at receiver. Fast forward a few years, and he’s transformed into one of the most intriguing tight ends in the country.
Mouser also highlighted a part of Brahmer’s game that doesn’t always get the spotlight: blocking. “What doesn’t get talked about is probably Ben’s blocking,” Mouser said. “He’s really improved as a tight end, not just with all the unique things he can do offensively, but with the physical part of the position too.”
That’s a key point. In Penn State’s offense - which has leaned heavily on multiple tight end sets - being able to block at a high level is non-negotiable.
Last season, the Nittany Lions essentially ran a three-starter rotation at tight end with Khalil Dinkins, Andrew Rappleyea, and Luke Reynolds. Now, that room is in transition.
Dinkins is off to chase NFL dreams, Reynolds has transferred to Virginia Tech, and Rappleyea - who finished 2025 on a strong note - returns as a redshirt junior expected to take a major role.
Enter Brahmer, who joins fellow Iowa State transfers Gabe Burkle and Cooper Alexander in a reloaded tight end room. Brahmer’s combination of size, hands, and blocking ability makes him the most likely of the trio to earn immediate snaps - and perhaps even push for a starting role.
And then there’s the quarterback connection. Brahmer’s not just joining familiar coaches - he’s also reuniting with his former QB1, Rocco Becht, who’s expected to take the reins as Penn State’s starting quarterback this spring. The two developed strong chemistry in Ames, and their off-the-field bond - they were road trip roommates in 2025 - only strengthens the on-field trust.
That kind of built-in rapport can be a game-changer, especially early in the season when timing and familiarity are still coming together for most teams. Brahmer will get his first reps in blue and white when spring practice kicks off in March, and all signs point to him being a key figure in what Penn State hopes is a more dynamic, balanced offense under Campbell and Mouser.
For a program with big goals in 2026, adding a tight end who can block, catch, and already speak the language of the new offense is a major win. Brahmer’s not just transferring schools - he’s stepping into a situation tailor-made for him to thrive.