Penn State’s roster hasn’t just been settling in since spring camp ended. A handful of players have also settled into new uniform numbers, and a few of the changes stand out more than others.
James Peoples is one of the biggest movers. The running back wore No. 23 during spring camp, but he’s now listed at No.
- He won’t have that number to himself, either, because defensive end Ike Ezeogu has also moved into No. 1 after previously wearing No.
That number had belonged to receiver Kyron Hudson last season, but Hudson is now out of eligibility. On the defensive side, safety Jaylen Reed was the last Penn State player to wear No. 1.
There’s also been a quarterback number switch, though not for Rocco Becht. Connor Barry, the transfer from Division III Christopher Newport, changed from No. 17 to No.
- He’ll share No. 10 with linebacker Caleb Bacon.
One of the more eye-catching changes belongs to receiver Peter Gonzalez. He went from No. 84 to No. 7, a 77-number jump.
Safety Zion Tracy is now the only Penn State player wearing No. 7.
The most dramatic switch, though, may belong to defensive end Yvan Kemajou. He moved from No. 99 to No. 19, an 80-number difference. No. 19 had previously been worn by fellow defensive end Chaz Coleman, who played his true freshman season at Penn State last year before transferring to Tennessee.
Penn State opens the 2026 season against Marshall on Sept. 5 at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 on FS1.
In Other News...
Urban Meyer Still Sounds Bitter About Penn States Block Six Loss
Urban Meyer still hasnt made peace with Penn States 2016 win over Ohio State, and he brought the grievance back up on The Triple Option podcast while talking through one of the most painful losses of his Buckeyes tenure. The former Ohio State coach, now a FOX Sports analyst, pointed to the field-goal sequence as the moment that still sticks with him, a play that became part of the larger argument around how that season was judged.
The frustration lingers because the loss did more than sting in the moment. It helped reshape the Big Ten race and later fed into the playoff debate, with Penn State and Ohio State both left to wonder how much that head-to-head result should have mattered. Meyers comments only reopened an old wound, one Penn State fans have long worn as a badge of honor and Ohio State supporters have never quite forgotten. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Quiet Quarterback Addition Could Matter More Than Fans Think
Connor Barrys path to Penn State is the kind of under-the-radar addition that can get overlooked in a crowded quarterback room, but it comes with a track record worth noting. The senior arrives after a breakout season at Division III Christopher Newport, where he piled up 2,866 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, production that helped turn him into a proven college arm heading into his final season.
For the Nittany Lions, the immediate quarterback picture still points elsewhere, but Barry gives the staff a seasoned option who can help keep things steady if the depth chart gets tested. Even if his on-field chances are limited to late-game situations, his value may show up just as much behind the scenes, where Penn State can use another veteran presence as the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State QB Commit Just Sent Fans The Message They Needed
Penn States 2028 quarterback commitment is already sounding like the kind of recruit the program has wanted to build around. Four-star James Armstrong has made it clear that his decision was about more than the usual recruiting noise, putting loyalty, relationships and development ahead of the biggest financial pitch. That message fits neatly with the way Matt Campbell and his staff have been selling the program, leaning on trust and long-term connection as much as on-field vision.
Armstrong has also started doing more than just talking about his own pledge. Since committing, he has been reaching out to other in-state recruits and pushing Penn State as a place they should consider, which is the sort of early recruiting leadership staffs love to see from a quarterback. For a class still taking shape, having a passer already acting like a recruiter of his own gives the Nittany Lions another reason to feel good about where this one could go next. [Read more 🡒]