Penn State Lands Another Former Cyclone as OT Mason Bandhauer Commits
Matt Campbell’s move from Ames to State College is already paying dividends on the recruiting trail - and the latest name to follow him is a big one, literally and figuratively.
Mason Bandhauer, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound offensive tackle out of Fort Collins, Colorado, has flipped his commitment from Iowa State to Penn State. Bandhauer originally signed with the Cyclones on December 3, but just five days later, Campbell was officially named head coach of the Nittany Lions. Now, less than three weeks later, Bandhauer is headed east.
This marks another significant pickup for Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class, especially in the trenches. Bandhauer is a three-star prospect, ranked as the No. 10 overall high school player in Colorado and the No. 61 offensive tackle nationally, according to 247Sports. He was one of the earliest additions to Iowa State’s 2026 class, committing back in October 2024 - a sign that Campbell and his staff had been high on him for some time.
And Bandhauer isn’t making this move alone.
He becomes the fifth former Iowa State commit from the 2026 cycle to follow Campbell to Happy Valley. The group includes three-star defensive back Tyrell Chapman from Lincoln, Nebraska, and Lucas Tenbrock, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound punter from St.
Charles, Illinois, who carries the No. 5 national ranking at his position per 247Sports. Also making the jump are quarterback Kase Evans out of Lexington, Texas, and another sizable offensive tackle in Pete Eglitis - a 6-foot-7, 280-pounder from Columbus, Ohio.
That’s two offensive tackles, a quarterback, a defensive back, and one of the top prep punters in the country - all now part of Penn State’s future foundation.
For Campbell, it’s a clear sign that the relationships he built in Ames are carrying weight in his new role. And for Penn State, it’s a strong early indication that the 2026 class is shaping up with both size and potential, particularly in the trenches.
Bandhauer’s commitment adds more depth and promise to a line that Campbell will be looking to rebuild and retool in the coming seasons. With his size, athleticism, and early buy-in to Campbell’s system, Bandhauer could be a name to watch as the Nittany Lions reestablish their identity under new leadership.