Matt Campbell didn’t waste any time getting to work in Happy Valley.
After a rocky Early Signing Period that saw just two recruits-Jackson Ford and Peyton Falzone-put pen to paper, the newly hired Penn State head coach is already reshaping the 2026 class. And he's doing it the way you'd expect: by tapping into the relationships he built at Iowa State.
Over the weekend, Campbell landed his first commitment as Penn State’s head coach: three-star defensive back Bryson Williams, who was released from his Iowa State signing. That was just the beginning. On Sunday, three more names followed-quarterback Kase Evans, safety Tyrell Chatman, and punter Lucas Tenbrock-all three-star prospects who had previously been committed to the Cyclones.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about numbers. This is about Campbell bringing his guys-players he believes in-into a new system, with a new vision, and doing it fast.
A Familiar Face in the Secondary
It’s no coincidence that two of the first flips were defensive backs. Campbell brought secondary coach Deon Broomfield with him from Ames, and that connection is already paying dividends.
Broomfield coached safeties at Iowa State for five seasons and has a decade of experience developing DBs at the college level. He’s built a reputation as a coach who knows how to find under-the-radar talent and turn it into production on the field.
Just look at Marcus Neal Jr. The sophomore safety had a breakout year in 2025 under Broomfield and emerged as one of the top defensive backs in the Big 12. With the transfer portal opening on January 2, Neal is a name to watch-especially with the ties to this new-look Penn State staff.
Quarterback Room Gets a Shake-Up
The most intriguing name in this group? That would be Kase Evans. The three-star quarterback out of Lexington, Texas, might not have the same recruiting buzz as four-star Peyton Falzone-who flipped back to Penn State on signing day after a brief commitment to Auburn-but Evans brings plenty of intrigue.
Standing 6-foot-2 and ranked as the No. 60 QB in the 2026 class by 247Sports Composite, Evans fits the mold of past Campbell quarterbacks.
Think Brock Purdy. Think Rocco Becht.
Neither was a top-30 QB in their class, but both developed into reliable, productive starters under Campbell’s watch. Purdy is now leading the 49ers in the NFL, and Becht-who has one year of eligibility left-could be a name to watch in the portal, especially if he’s looking to reunite with the coach who helped shape his game.
Evans may not be the headliner in this class, but Campbell’s track record with QBs suggests he sees something in the Texas native that fits his system. And when a coach with Campbell’s eye for development goes out of his way to bring a guy with him, it’s worth paying attention.
Building a Foundation
Lucas Tenbrock may not draw headlines as a punter, but special teams matter-especially in the Big Ten, where field position battles can decide games. Every piece of this puzzle matters, and Campbell is clearly focused on building a complete roster.
This early wave of additions is more than just a recruiting salvage job-it’s the start of a culture shift. Campbell is bringing in players who already know his system, trust his staff, and fit the blueprint he’s used to build competitive teams in the past.
Penn State’s 2026 class still has work to do, but the foundation is starting to take shape. And if these early moves are any indication, Campbell isn’t just trying to fill roster spots-he’s trying to build something sustainable.