Matt Campbell didn’t waste any time after taking the reins at Penn State. With just two signees in the 2026 class when he arrived, the new head coach turned to familiar territory-his former Iowa State recruits-to jumpstart the roster rebuild. And one of the most intriguing names among the ten players who followed Campbell from Ames to Happy Valley is linebacker Keian Kaiser.
Kaiser, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound tackling machine out of Sidney High School in Nebraska, officially signed with the Nittany Lions on February Signing Day. For Kaiser, the move to Penn State wasn’t just about continuity with Campbell’s staff-it was about legacy.
“Penn State is a historic football program, and what linebacker wouldn't want to play for Linebacker U,” Kaiser said. “Coach Campbell and his staff make it the easiest decision I've ever had to make.”
That’s not just lip service. Kaiser brings a serious résumé with him.
He racked up over 350 career tackles in high school, including 111 in his senior season, while also showing off his versatility with two interceptions and nearly 800 yards of offense to go with 12 touchdowns. He’s been a force on both sides of the ball, but there’s no question where his future lies.
“He’s a mature player,” said Sidney head coach Ryan Smith. “He gets things pretty quickly.
He’s a football guy. He understands the game.
You don’t have to teach and reteach and reteach. He kind of learns something once, experiences it, and then he’s good to go.”
That football IQ, combined with relentless effort and attention to detail, helped Kaiser earn Defensive Player of the Year honors at both the district and state levels. And while he’s already considered Nebraska’s No. 5 overall prospect and the No. 54 linebacker nationally in the 2026 cycle, his ceiling still seems to be rising.
“There are certain skills that he has that he's just without a doubt the best on the team,” Smith added. “But he still works on his craft-whether it’s stance, explosive steps, running to the ball-it’s all the little things he just excels at.”
Kaiser will arrive on campus this summer and get his first taste of college ball during preseason camp in August. And he’ll be stepping into a linebacker room that’s in the middle of a major overhaul.
Right now, Penn State’s linebacker depth chart is thin. Only three players-senior Tony Rojas, sophomore Alex Tatsch, and redshirt freshman Cam Smith-remain from the last three recruiting classes. That’s why Kaiser’s arrival, along with a wave of experienced transfers, is so critical.
Joining him in the linebacker corps are Iowa State transfers Caleb Bacon, Cael Brezina, Kooper Ebel, and John Klosterman, plus Chris Fileppo from West Virginia. Bacon and Ebel, both seniors, are expected to bring leadership and stability to the group, especially with Rojas also entering his final year of eligibility.
While former Penn State All-American Dan Connor remains on staff to help mold the next generation of linebackers, the unit is now under the direction of new position coach Tyson Veidt, who previously served as Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator. That fresh perspective, combined with the influx of talent, could be exactly what Penn State needs to restore its identity at the position.
For now, Kaiser is the only true freshman in the mix. But with his instincts, production, and drive, don’t be surprised if he makes an early impression. After all, if there’s one place where a linebacker can make a name for himself, it’s Linebacker U.