As Penn State gears up for spring practice, all eyes are on the Nittany Lions’ quarterback situation. Rocco Becht, the seasoned fifth-year senior, is recovering from shoulder injuries-one of which required surgery. While he won’t be leading the charge right away, he’s expected to make significant strides by the end of April.
Becht's journey to recovery has been promising. “The process has been going really well,” he shared, expressing optimism about his shoulder health. With his right shoulder fully healed and the left nearly there, Becht anticipates participating in over half of the spring sessions.
Despite being new to Penn State, Becht finds himself in familiar company. He followed head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State, along with offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, quarterbacks coach Jake Waters, and key receivers Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen, and tight end Ben Brahmer. This continuity should help ease the transition, though Becht will need to sync with Penn State veterans like Andrew Rapplyea and Koby Howard, as well as new transfer additions.
Coach Campbell has been effusive in his praise for Becht, highlighting his leadership and resilience. “He’s one of the greatest leaders I’ve ever been around,” Campbell stated, recalling Becht’s determination playing through injuries last season. The quarterback endured a torn labrum and a sprained AC joint, yet continued to give his all on the field.
The Nittany Lions face other injury challenges as well. Linebacker Tony Rojas, who underwent knee surgery, is uncertain about his spring practice involvement but aims to be ready for preseason camp. Rojas’ absence last season was felt deeply, contributing to a tough stretch that led to a coaching change.
As spring unfolds, Campbell’s approach will be closely watched, especially regarding the Blue-White Game. Traditionally, this scrimmage is the culmination of spring practice, but Campbell, known for his cautious stance on full-scrimmage games, may shake things up. The NCAA’s recent elimination of the spring transfer window reduces the risk of player poaching, giving Campbell more flexibility in how he approaches the event.
“I think it’s really important for our kids to be in that stadium with our fans,” Campbell emphasized. He wants players, particularly Becht, to gain valuable experience in front of a crowd before the regular season kicks off.
While the exact format of the spring event remains undecided, Campbell assures fans that Penn State will make the most of their 15th practice. With health and preparation as priorities, the team is set on delivering an engaging and productive spring session.