What Penn State Is Getting in Transfer Tight End Ben Brahmer
Penn State’s tight end room just got a whole lot bigger-and a whole lot more versatile.
Ben Brahmer, the 6-foot-7, 255-pound transfer from Iowa State, brings more than just size to Happy Valley. He brings production, pedigree, and a work ethic that already has coaches buzzing.
Coming off a strong 2025 season where he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors, Brahmer racked up 37 catches for 466 yards and six touchdowns. That’s not just solid output-it’s the kind of production that makes defensive coordinators rethink their matchups.
And it’s not just about last season. Brahmer was a Freshman All-American in 2023, making an immediate impact in Iowa State’s offense.
Now, he reunites with the man who helped unlock his potential-Taylor Mouser, Iowa State’s former tight ends coach and now Penn State’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. That continuity matters.
Mouser knows exactly how to use Brahmer, and he’s already laying the groundwork for how the senior will fit into the Nittany Lions’ offense.
“He’s a guy that puts defenses in a bind,” Mouser said recently. “We can line him up as a wideout, we can use him as a traditional tight end. That kind of flexibility is rare.”
That flexibility is also what makes Brahmer such a valuable addition. He’s not just a big body who blocks and catches short routes-he’s a matchup nightmare.
Linebackers struggle to keep up with his speed. Safeties get outmuscled.
And with Mouser calling the plays, Penn State has the blueprint to make the most of that skill set.
Mouser has a track record of developing tight ends. He coached Charlie Kolar at Iowa State, who earned first-team All-Big 12 honors three times before becoming a fourth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2022. Brahmer fits that mold-big, athletic, and football-savvy.
That football IQ? It runs in the family.
Brahmer’s father, Mark, was a standout linebacker at Doane University in Nebraska, earning first-team NAIA All-American honors back in 1993. The younger Brahmer grew up around the game, and it shows.
In high school, he played everything from cornerback to wide receiver, showcasing the kind of versatility that’s now a core part of his game.
“He did a lot in high school,” Mouser said. “He played small-school football in Nebraska, but he played everywhere. That’s something we look for-guys who understand the game from different angles.”
Brahmer isn’t arriving in State College alone. Two other Iowa State tight ends-Gabe Burkle and Cooper Alexander-have also joined the Nittany Lions.
Burkle, a 6-foot-6, 255-pound redshirt senior, is currently recovering from a season-ending injury suffered in late November. Still, the infusion of talent and familiarity gives Penn State’s tight end room a fresh dynamic.
The early chemistry between Brahmer and returning tight end Andrew Rappleyea is another encouraging sign. Mouser sees the potential for a true 1-2 punch at the position.
“The relationship between him and ‘Rap’ has been fun to see,” Mouser said. “They’ve hit it off. Brahmer’s the kind of guy who pushes people, makes others better, and doesn’t bring ego into the room.”
That mindset is exactly what Penn State is looking for as it reloads for another run. Mouser made it clear that there are no handouts, even for players he coached before. Everyone-new or returning-has to earn their spot.
“All the Iowa State guys, we told them: this isn’t Iowa State anymore,” Mouser said. “You’re going to have to work for everything here. And they know that.”
Still, there’s a quiet confidence in what Brahmer brings to the table. His size, yes.
His hands, absolutely. But it’s the way he goes about his business-early to work, connected with teammates, zero entitlement-that has his new coaches excited.
“I like walking on the field next to a guy that makes me feel confident,” Mouser said. “Yeah, he’s awesome.”
Penn State just added a tight end who can stretch the field, block in-line, and shift out wide. But more importantly, they added a player who knows how to raise the standard. Brahmer isn’t just a transfer-he’s a tone-setter.