Penn State Adds Talented QB Kase Evans to 2026 Class After Iowa State Departure
Kase Evans’ recruiting journey has been anything but straightforward-but it may have found its final stop in Happy Valley.
The Class of 2026 quarterback out of Lexington High School in Texas officially joined Penn State’s recruiting class on Sunday, just days after being released from his National Letter of Intent with Iowa State. Evans had signed with the Cyclones on December 3, following a mid-October commitment, but the departure of head coach Matt Campbell opened the door for a change-and Evans took it.
This isn’t the first time the 6-foot-2, 198-pound signal-caller has had to pivot due to coaching turnover. Earlier this year, he was verbally committed to Oklahoma State before stepping away in September after the Cowboys moved on from longtime head coach Mike Gundy. That makes two coaching changes, two decommitments, and now a fresh start with the Nittany Lions.
A Productive High School Career
Evans brings a proven track record of production with him to State College. He just wrapped up his senior season by tossing 34 touchdown passes and racking up nearly 3,000 yards through the air, while completing 53 percent of his throws. He added another 600 yards and six scores on the ground-showcasing a dual-threat ability that’s become increasingly valuable in today’s game.
That performance marked his second straight season with over 30 touchdown passes, and when you zoom out to look at his full high school career, the numbers speak for themselves: nearly 12,000 passing yards, 120 touchdowns, and 42 interceptions. It's worth noting that 17 of those picks came during his freshman year-on 265 attempts.
Since then, he's thrown just 25 interceptions over nearly 1,000 passes. That kind of growth and ball security is what coaches love to see.
Evans is also a standout in track and field, particularly in the discus-a testament to his overall athleticism and work ethic.
Scouting the Skillset
Evans is rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 54 quarterback in the 2026 class by 247Sports, while the industry composite rankings place him at No. 60 among quarterbacks. But numbers only tell part of the story.
Former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell was high on Evans before his departure, calling him “one of the great steals in this class” during the Cyclones’ Signing Day press conference. Campbell recounted a playoff performance where Evans threw for nearly 300 yards and rushed for almost 200 more-calling it “unbelievable.”
What stood out to Campbell-and what will no doubt intrigue the Penn State staff-is Evans' ability to push the ball vertically and create outside the pocket. He’s not just a passer who can move; he’s a legitimate run threat when called upon. Campbell praised Evans’ competitiveness and leadership, saying he “took a team and a program to places it hasn’t gone,” drawing parallels to other successful quarterbacks he’s coached.
Quarterback Room Outlook in Happy Valley
With Evans on board, Penn State now has two quarterbacks committed in the 2026 class, joining Peyton Falzone from Nazareth, Pennsylvania. It’s a strong one-two punch of prospects with different regional backgrounds but promising upside.
As for the current quarterback situation, redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer is in line to make his seventh consecutive start in the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl on December 27. He’s shown flashes, but with a new coaching staff settling in, nothing is set in stone. Redshirt sophomore Jaxon Smolik and freshman Bekkem Kritza both spent significant time sidelined this season, adding another layer of uncertainty to the depth chart.
Penn State has yet to dip into the transfer portal for a quarterback during the portal era-but with the coaching change and a QB room in flux, this offseason could be the one that breaks the trend. Whether that means targeting a proven starter like Rocco Becht-who has ties to Campbell-or bringing in a younger developmental piece, the Nittany Lions may be looking to bolster the room before spring camp kicks off.
What’s Next for Evans
For now, Evans gives Penn State a quarterback with a strong arm, solid mobility, and a history of production that suggests he’s more than just a developmental project. He’s already shown he can handle adversity-on and off the field-and that resilience could serve him well as he transitions to the next level.
With two commitments in the fold and a potentially shifting quarterback landscape in State College, the Nittany Lions are positioning themselves for flexibility and competition at the game’s most important position. And in Kase Evans, they may have found a player ready to rise to the challenge.