Penn State’s new head coach Matt Campbell hasn’t wasted any time making waves on the recruiting trail. Since taking over on December 8, Campbell has already pulled in three Class of 2026 prospects who were previously committed to Iowa State - a clear sign that his influence is traveling with him from Ames to State College.
Among the early movers are Tyrell Chapman, a three-star defensive back out of Lincoln, Nebraska; Lucas Tenbrock, a towering 6-foot-6, 220-pound punter from St. Charles, Illinois, who ranks as the No. 5 high school punter in the nation according to 247Sports; and quarterback Kase Evans, a promising signal-caller from Lexington, Texas. All three had pledged to Campbell at Iowa State, and now they’re bringing their talents to Happy Valley.
But the recruiting momentum might just be getting started.
According to Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong, Penn State is now firmly in the mix for Samson Gash - a name that carries weight in Nittany Lion circles. The 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver from Novi, Michigan, is currently committed to a Big Ten program but has yet to sign, leaving the door open for a potential flip. And Penn State is making a strong push.
Gash, who stars at Detroit Catholic Central, is ranked as the No. 55 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 6 overall player in the state of Michigan, per 247Sports. He’s coming off a standout junior season where he hauled in 42 receptions for 731 yards - that’s an impressive 17.4 yards per catch. He’s a deep threat with the kind of burst and body control that can stretch defenses and flip field position in a heartbeat.
There’s also a legacy factor here that could play into Penn State’s favor. Gash’s father, Sam Gash, was a bruising fullback for the Nittany Lions from 1987 to 1991 before going on to an NFL career that spanned over a decade. Drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1992 NFL Draft, the elder Gash also suited up for the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens, winning Super Bowl XXXV and making Pro Bowl history in 1999 as the first fullback selected without recording a single regular-season carry.
Now, Samson has a chance to follow in his father’s footsteps - but the competition is heating up. Georgia and Iowa State are also reportedly in the mix, and Michigan State is doing everything it can to hold onto its four-star commit.
With Campbell already pulling former Cyclone commits and now eyeing a potential legacy addition, it’s clear that Penn State’s recruiting operation under his leadership is moving with purpose. The early returns suggest he’s not just rebuilding - he’s reloading.