Matt Campbell hasn’t even coached a game yet at Penn State, but the quarterback question is already front and center as he begins building his first roster in Happy Valley. While Terry Smith will handle head coaching duties for the Nittany Lions in the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson, Campbell is focused on the bigger picture: shaping the future of the program, starting with a critical stretch in the transfer portal window from January 2 to 16.
At the heart of that future is the quarterback room-and the decisions there could define the early part of Campbell’s tenure.
Rocco Becht, Campbell’s starting quarterback for the past three seasons at Iowa State, is expected to enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility left. The connection is obvious: Becht knows the system, understands offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser’s playbook, and has already proven he can lead a Power Five offense.
But just because Campbell and several key staffers are making the move from Ames to State College doesn’t mean Becht is automatically tagging along. He’ll have options, and so does Penn State.
Enter Ethan Grunkemeyer.
The redshirt sophomore stepped in after Drew Allar’s season-ending injury and started the final six games of the season. He’s set to lead the Nittany Lions in the Pinstripe Bowl, and while the sample size is small, there’s a lot to like about what he’s shown-poise, arm talent, and a clear command of the offense in some tough spots, including games against Indiana and Ohio State.
Grunkemeyer’s not just a placeholder. He was a four-star recruit for a reason, and interestingly enough, he was also on Campbell’s radar when he was coming out of high school.
Iowa State was one of his early suitors, and he took an official visit to Ames during his recruitment. That early relationship could now play a pivotal role in how things unfold.
After meeting Campbell for the first time at Penn State, Grunkemeyer spoke highly of the coach’s approach and the culture he built at Iowa State-one that he believes will translate well to Penn State. That’s a good sign for Campbell, who will need to strike the right tone with a young quarterback who clearly has the tools to be a long-term answer.
But here’s the challenge: it’s hard to keep two starting-caliber quarterbacks in the same room, especially in today’s transfer-heavy landscape. If Campbell brings in Becht and hands him the keys, there’s a strong chance Grunkemeyer looks elsewhere.
On the flip side, if Grunkemeyer is given the inside track and wins the job, Becht could opt for a different opportunity where he’s the clear No. 1.
There is, however, a narrow path where Campbell could keep both quarterbacks in the fold-Becht as a one-year bridge starter in 2026, and Grunkemeyer as the face of the program in 2027 and beyond. That scenario would give Penn State a rare luxury: experience and upside, stability now and star potential later.
It’s a delicate balancing act, but if Campbell can pull it off, it could set the tone for a new era in State College-one where the quarterback position is not a question mark, but a strength.