Matt Campbell’s first season at the helm in Happy Valley is already making waves - and not just because of the new faces on the field. On Wednesday, Penn State’s new head coach introduced much of his staff to the media, and it’s clear he brought more than just a playbook from Ames. With a sizable group of assistants and 23 players transferring in from Iowa State, Campbell’s imprint on the Nittany Lions is unmistakable.
Naturally, that influx has raised some eyebrows. After all, this is Penn State - a program with Big Ten title aspirations and a fanbase that expects to be in the national conversation every year.
So when a large chunk of an 8-4 Iowa State squad shows up in blue and white, questions follow. Can this group, largely built from a solid-but-not-spectacular Big 12 team, really elevate Penn State to College Football Playoff contention?
Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser - who spent a decade with Campbell in Ames - didn’t shy away from those questions. His message to the media, and more importantly, to the players who followed him to State College: nothing is guaranteed.
“We’re not Iowa State anymore, so don’t come here and expect anything,” Mouser said, laying down a clear tone for the program’s new era.
That’s not just coach-speak. It’s a signal that the former Cyclones are starting from scratch, just like everyone else. No promises, no handouts - just competition.
Of course, some of those players are bringing more than just familiarity with the system. Quarterback Rocco Becht, for instance, arrives with 39 career starts under his belt - the most of any returning starter in college football.
He’s spent his entire career operating in Mouser’s offense, which gives him a significant edge when it comes to understanding the scheme. And while Mouser didn’t hand him the keys to the offense, Becht walks into a quarterback room that’s relatively green: two true freshmen, a redshirt freshman transfer from Iowa State, and a Division III transfer round out the competition.
Given that context, it’s hard to imagine Becht not emerging as the starter. But again, nothing’s being handed out. That same mindset applies across the roster, where competition is expected to be much tighter at several positions.
This isn’t a carbon copy of last year’s Iowa State team. It’s a carefully curated mix - the best pieces of that Cyclones squad, blended with other high-impact transfers and some key holdovers from James Franklin’s 2025 roster. And with a relatively favorable schedule ahead, the pieces are in place for Penn State to make a real run at the College Football Playoff.
Campbell’s approach is simple: put the best 22 on the field, regardless of where they came from. That could mean a lot of former Cyclones see major playing time, but only if they earn it. The message is clear - this isn’t about loyalty to past programs, it’s about building something new in Happy Valley.
The early signs suggest Campbell is setting the right tone. Open competition, a culture of accountability, and a roster that’s deeper than it might look at first glance - it’s a recipe that could pay off in a big way.
If the pieces come together, Penn State won’t just be Iowa State East. They’ll be something much more dangerous.