Penn State football is entering a new chapter under head coach Matt Campbell, and it's already been one of the more dramatic offseasons in recent memory. With a wave of departures to both the NFL Draft and the Transfer Portal, the Nittany Lions saw significant turnover across the roster. But Campbell didn’t waste any time filling the gaps - he attacked the portal with purpose, and the result is one of the top-ranked transfer classes in the country.
According to ESPN’s Craig Haubert, Penn State’s Transfer Portal haul ranks sixth nationally - a strong showing considering the sheer volume of players who left and the relatively thin incoming high school class for 2026. The programs ranked ahead?
LSU, Texas Tech, Indiana, and Ohio State - all teams that made aggressive portal moves of their own. But Penn State’s strategy was unique in one key way: Campbell brought his guys with him.
Nearly two dozen players followed Campbell from Iowa State to Happy Valley, forming the backbone of a portal class that’s pushing 40 players deep. That kind of roster overhaul is rare - and risky - but it also speaks to the level of trust and culture Campbell has built with his former Cyclones.
As Haubert put it, “He won’t have trouble establishing culture and identity in State College.” That’s not just about slogans and locker room speeches - it’s about bringing in players who already know the system, the expectations, and what Campbell demands on and off the field.
At the center of this influx is quarterback Rocco Becht, who ESPN calls the “headliner” of the class - and for good reason. Becht started 39 games under Campbell at Iowa State, and he’s expected to step in as the immediate starter at Penn State.
With Drew Allar out of eligibility and both Ethan Grunkemeyer and Jaxon Smolik entering the portal, the Nittany Lions were suddenly without a clear QB1. Even with four-star freshman Peyton Falzone arriving and former Cyclone Alex Manske in the fold, the need for an experienced, proven leader under center was obvious.
Becht checks every box.
He’s not just a stopgap - he’s a quarterback who knows the offense inside and out, processes quickly at the line of scrimmage, and has the mobility to make plays when things break down. That kind of experience is invaluable, especially in Year 1 of a new coaching regime. And for younger quarterbacks like Falzone and Manske, having a seasoned leader to learn from could smooth the transition well beyond 2026.
But Becht isn’t the only notable addition. Ohio State running back James Peoples brings explosive upside to the backfield, while wide receiver Chase Sowell (another Iowa State transfer) gives the offense a reliable target with familiarity in the system. On defense, UCLA transfer Keanu Williams adds size and depth to the line, and tight end Benjamin Brahmer - also from Iowa State - could be a sneaky weapon in the passing game.
Safety Marcus Neal Jr., another Cyclone making the move to State College, also earned praise from Haubert. His presence adds experience to a secondary that’s seen its share of turnover, and like many of these transfers, he arrives already fluent in Campbell’s defensive philosophy.
What we’re seeing here is more than just a roster reload - it’s a full-scale identity transplant. Campbell isn’t just trying to build something at Penn State; he’s bringing the foundation with him. That’s a bold approach, but it might be exactly what the program needs after a turbulent stretch.
The Transfer Portal era has changed college football, and Campbell is leaning all the way in. Now, with a loaded class and a familiar core, the Nittany Lions have a chance to hit the ground running - not just rebuilding, but reloading with purpose.