Rocco Becht’s college football journey has been anything but ordinary-and it’s far from over. After four seasons under Matt Campbell at Iowa State, where he threw for 64 touchdowns, 27 interceptions, and racked up 9,274 passing yards, Becht is now set to finish his career at Penn State.
But this isn’t just a case of a quarterback following his coach. This is about grit, loyalty, and a shared vision of excellence.
Let’s rewind for a second. Becht’s 2024 campaign was a breakout year.
He helped guide Iowa State to a Big 12 Championship Game appearance, putting himself on the national radar with a poised, productive season. Expectations were sky-high heading into 2025.
The Cyclones came out of the gate strong, climbing to No. 12 in the rankings by late September. A return trip to the Big 12 title game?
Maybe even a shot at the College Football Playoff? It all felt within reach.
But college football seasons rarely follow the script. Iowa State stumbled, finishing 8-4-a respectable record, sure, but one that required them to win their final five games just to get there.
And for Becht, the numbers took a dip. He finished with 16 touchdown passes, nine fewer than the year before, and threw nine interceptions.
On paper, it was the least productive season of his career.
But here’s the thing: the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.
Becht played the second half of the season with a torn labrum. That’s not just a nagging injury-it’s the kind of thing that sidelines most quarterbacks entirely.
Instead, Becht suited up week after week, getting pain-killing injections just to make it through practice. As Campbell put it, he was “shot up every Tuesday and Wednesday just to practice” during the final month of the season.
That’s not just tough. That’s warrior-level stuff.
In that context, the dip in production makes a lot more sense. It also gives you a window into the kind of competitor Penn State is getting. Becht didn’t just gut it out-he led Iowa State to five straight wins to close the season, showing the kind of resilience and leadership that doesn’t show up in stat sheets.
For Campbell, bringing Becht with him to Penn State wasn’t just about familiarity. It was about culture.
“Integrity, character, class, excellence, grit,” Campbell said when asked what Becht brings to the table. “I just felt like for me, that was a critical opportunity for him to finish his career with us.”
Campbell emphasized the importance of the coach-quarterback relationship, saying the two need to be “tied at the hip.” That bond, forged over three seasons, helped Iowa State to the most successful three-year stretch in program history-26 wins, more than any other three-year span the Cyclones have ever had.
And those 26 wins? They make Becht the winningest returning quarterback in the country.
If all goes according to plan, Becht could surpass Sean Clifford’s career win total of 32. Now, Clifford will still hold the Penn State record, since Becht will only spend one season in Happy Valley. But make no mistake-Becht’s legacy could leave a lasting imprint on the program, even in just one year.
He brings more than just experience and toughness to the table. He brings a blueprint for winning. And with a coach who believes in him, a new stage to perform on, and a clean bill of health, don’t be surprised if Becht’s final chapter turns out to be his most compelling yet.