Brett Eskildsen is packing his bags for Happy Valley, and he’s not coming alone - or quietly. Among the wave of Iowa State talent following former head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State, Eskildsen stands out as one of the most intriguing additions. If his 2025 season is any indication, the Nittany Lions may have just added a game-changing piece to their passing attack.
Let’s talk production. Eskildsen led Iowa State with 526 receiving yards on just 30 catches - that’s a blistering 17.5 yards per grab.
Among Big 12 receivers with at least 25 catches, that average put him near the top of the conference. He’s not just catching passes - he’s flipping the field.
Eskildsen topped 70 receiving yards in four games last season, including a signature performance at Cincinnati where he hauled in eight catches for 105 yards. He also found the end zone five times, second-most on the Cyclones behind tight end Benjamin Brahmer - another name Penn State fans will want to remember, as he’s also headed to State College.
What makes Eskildsen’s rise even more impressive is how quickly he climbed the depth chart. After a quiet freshman year in 2024 where he mostly contributed on special teams, he exploded in 2025.
His snap count at receiver jumped from around 50 to over 450, and he made the most of every opportunity. His downfield speed was a real weapon - he recorded a reception of 24 yards or more in six of Iowa State’s first seven games.
That stretch included a 75-yard touchdown against BYU, a highlight that showcased both his acceleration and ability to finish.
Matt Campbell, who coached Eskildsen at Iowa State and will continue to do so at Penn State, was effusive in his praise. Back in September, Campbell called him a "wow figure" coming out of spring ball and noted how Eskildsen doubled down on that momentum in fall camp. “How he practices, how he prepares, his availability, the consistency - it’s been really impressive,” Campbell said.
That consistency didn’t stop with route running or hands. Campbell also pointed to Eskildsen’s off-field habits - hydration, diet, nutrition - as signs of a young player starting to live like a pro. That kind of buy-in from a college athlete is what separates the good from the great, and it’s a big reason why Eskildsen is expected to make an immediate impact at Penn State.
There’s also an important layer of chemistry already in place. Rocco Becht, Iowa State’s starting quarterback last season, is expected to take the reins for the Nittany Lions in 2026. Becht and Eskildsen built a strong connection in Ames, and that familiarity could be a huge asset as Penn State retools its offense.
"Rocco is unbelievable," Eskildsen said last season. "He puts the ball right where you need it.
So it’s our job to come down with it." That kind of trust between quarterback and receiver can take years to develop - Penn State will be getting it on Day One.
And Eskildsen won’t be the only familiar face in the locker room. Joining him in the offensive migration from Iowa State are wide receiver Chase Sowell, guard Trevor Buhr, and tight ends Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle.
That’s a significant chunk of offensive firepower making the move, and it’s no coincidence. Campbell is clearly bringing in players who already know his system - and who’ve proven they can produce in it.
Eskildsen will get his first reps in blue and white when spring practice kicks off in March. A former three-star recruit out of Frisco Centennial High School in Texas, he’s already outperformed expectations once. Now, with a bigger stage and a familiar quarterback, he’s got the tools - and the opportunity - to do it again.