Penn State's Brahmer, Neal Jr. Earn Early All-American Consideration for 2026
The 2026 college football season is still months away, but the early buzz is already building - and a pair of Penn State newcomers are starting to turn heads. ESPN’s way-too-early All-American projections highlighted tight end Benjamin Brahmer and safety Marcus Neal Jr. as players to watch heading into the fall, and while they didn’t crack the top spots, both were listed as serious contenders.
Benjamin Brahmer: A Red Zone Threat with All-American Upside
Let’s start with Brahmer, who brings both production and pedigree to Happy Valley. The senior tight end transferred from Iowa State to Penn State on January 3, and he didn’t come quietly. Ranked as the No. 2 tight end and No. 41 overall player in the 247Sports Transfer Rankings, Brahmer arrives with a résumé that demands attention.
Last season, Brahmer had his breakout year with the Cyclones, racking up 37 catches for 446 yards and six touchdowns across 12 games and 10 starts. That kind of output didn’t go unnoticed - he was named a Mackey Award Semifinalist, earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors from the coaches, and picked up an Honorable Mention All-American nod from Phil Steele.
He’s not just a one-year wonder either. As a freshman in 2023, Brahmer showed flashes of what was to come with 28 receptions for 352 yards and two scores. His sophomore campaign was cut short by injury, but even in limited action, he managed 10 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown.
Now fully healthy and stepping into a system that’s expected to feature him heavily, Brahmer has a real chance to make a national impact. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach slotted him just behind LSU’s Trey’Dez Green and Texas Tech’s Terrance Carter Jr., the latter earning the top tight end nod. That’s elite company - and Brahmer’s trajectory suggests he belongs in that conversation.
Marcus Neal Jr.: A Versatile Playmaker on the Rise
On the defensive side, Marcus Neal Jr. is another former Cyclone who’s poised to make waves in the Big Ten. The junior safety transferred to Penn State just a day after Brahmer, and like his teammate, he arrives with a strong case for national recognition.
Neal Jr. was one of Iowa State’s most consistent defensive performers in 2025, starting all 12 games and tying for the team lead in total tackles with 77 - 40 of them solo. He was all over the field, adding 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble. That kind of production earned him a spot on the All-Big 12 Third Team and a nod from Phil Steele’s All-Big 12 squad as well.
He’s got the range, the instincts, and the physicality to be a difference-maker in Penn State’s secondary from day one. ESPN listed Oregon’s Koi Perch as the top safety in their early All-American projections, but Neal Jr. was the first name mentioned as a close contender. Alabama’s Bray Hubbard rounded out the trio of players under consideration.
Neal Jr.’s freshman season in 2024 showed the early signs of what was to come - 24 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble over 13 games - but it was in 2025 where he truly emerged as a leader on the back end.
What It Means for Penn State
While neither Brahmer nor Neal Jr. were named to the official way-too-early All-American team, their inclusion as top-tier considerations speaks volumes. These aren’t just transfers looking for playing time - they’re high-impact additions with the potential to elevate Penn State on both sides of the ball.
For a program looking to take that next step nationally, having two players already in the All-American conversation before spring ball even kicks off is a promising sign. Keep an eye on both Brahmer and Neal Jr. as the offseason unfolds - if their past production is any indication, they’re just getting started.