Penn State opened fall camp with a lift before a single meaningful practice battle could really settle in: linebacker Tony Rojas and tight end Andrew Rappleyea were both out there as full participants.
That matters on both sides of the ball. Rojas’ absence in 2025 left a real void on defense, while Rappleyea’s return gives the offense a steady piece back even as the roster keeps changing around him. Both were expected to be back, but seeing them on the field right away changes the mood in camp.
There’s already a clear shape to what Penn State wants to be offensively in 2026. Campbell said 12 personnel is the ideal “home base” for the Nittany Lions, putting two tight ends on the field and leaning into the versatility of Rappleyea, Benjamin Brahmer, and Gabe Burkle. If Penn State wants to get all three involved, Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser could also dip into 13 personnel, even if that’s not a common look in college football.
The other early camp storyline is at left tackle, where Malachi Goodman has made a strong first impression. Campbell hasn’t named a starter yet, but Goodman is pushing in the right direction as he competes with Owen Aliciene and Garrett Sexton. Campbell challenged the redshirt freshman to separate himself, and so far the signs have been encouraging.
On defense, Caleb Bacon is making a move from linebacker to edge rusher. Campbell liked what he saw from Bacon at linebacker during the spring, but he also sees enough talent to try him on the edge. Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter were mentioned as other former Nittany Lions who changed positions during their college or NFL careers.
At quarterback, Alex Manske is back healthy, and Campbell’s praise has been loud. The sophomore’s athleticism, arm talent, and mental toughness are all drawing notice, and Campbell said Manske is "playing as good of football in the last two days as we’ve witnessed [him] play in his entire career"
Wide receiver is another spot to watch, with Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen, and Koby Howard headlining the room. Campbell wants Sowell and Eskildsen to go from good to great or elite by becoming more consistent.
Howard is earlier in his development, but Campbell sees him moving toward where Sowell and Eskildsen are now. The expectation is that this group keeps getting steadier in 2026 and beyond.
Penn State also picked up good news in field hockey. A 2026 game against Delaware, originally set for Sunday, Sept. 6, has been moved to Happy Valley, giving the Nittany Lions a 10-game home slate.
Their first road game now comes at the end of September, and they’ll play six straight home games before that trip. That’s a notable break after Penn State went 6-2 at home in 2025.
The field hockey schedule also includes another national TV slot. Penn State’s game against Ohio State on Friday, Oct. 16 will air on Big Ten Network. All nine conference teams will have one nationally televised game, and this one carries extra weight for Penn State after Ohio State’s 2025 win knocked the Nittany Lions out of postseason contention and claimed the final seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
Elsewhere in Happy Valley, Josh Reed is coming back for Penn State men’s basketball in 2026. A federal court matter tied to the NCAA’s new eligibility "five-in-five" rule gave Class of 2022 student-athletes another year, and Reed is among those who benefit.
Reed was a senior for Penn State in 2025 and transferred in for that season. In his lone year with the Nittany Lions, he shot 48.8 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from three, and averaged 11.5 points, one assist, and one steal per game.
In Other News...
Penn State Receiver Is Turning Camp Buzz Into Something Much Bigger
Penn States camp chatter has started to spill into something more official, and Brett Eskildsen is part of the reason why. The wide receiver landed on Bruce Feldmans 2026 College Football Freaks List, joining linebacker Rojas and cornerback Audavion Collins as Nittany Lions recognized for the kind of raw athleticism that tends to show up early in August and linger all fall. For a program that always seems to have a few players who make people stop and notice during training camp, Eskildsens inclusion adds another layer to the buzz around the receiver room.
What makes Eskildsen stand out is not just that he has impressed coaches and teammates in camp, but that his testing and movement numbers match the eye test. Feldman noted his top speed was around 23 mph, along with a 40-inch vertical and an 11-foot broad jump, the sort of combination that usually earns attention before it ever turns into production. The bigger question now is how Penn State turns that kind of explosiveness into a role that matters once the games start, because the freakish traits are already on display and the next step is making them count. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Camp Battle Comes Down To One Thing For Two Young Lions
Training camp has a way of stripping everything down to the basics, and for Penn State, the conversation around two second-year players has centered on one familiar demand: consistency. Coach Matt Campbell has pointed to a pair of young Lions with the talent to crack the lineup this season, and both are spending camp trying to turn that upside into something the staff can trust on a daily basis.
The two are battling for starting roles, with each trying to make the kind of steady impression that keeps a coach from looking elsewhere. Campbell has made it clear that the next step for both players is not about flashes or isolated good reps, but about bringing the same level every day as they push for more playing time. [Read more 🡒]