A New Era in State College
Penn State is gearing up for the 2026 football season with a fresh face at the helm: head coach Matt Campbell, who arrived from Iowa State with a clear mandate to rebuild the program and restore its former prominence.
At the heart of the offense is quarterback Rocco Becht, the most experienced FBS signal‑caller in the nation with 39 career starts, who is expected to lead the attack despite a recent shoulder procedure that has been managed carefully during the offseason.
The receiving corps gains a towering presence in tight end Benjamin Brahmer, a 6‑foot‑7 transfer who continues the school's recent draft‑pick pedigree at the position, while the backfield will lean on Carson Hansen’s 952‑yard rushing output from Iowa State and Ohio State’s James Peoples, creating a balanced and versatile ground game.
Defensively, coordinator D’Anton Lynn has infused the line with four transfer tackles, including Siale Taupaki from UCLA, and is channeling play‑calling toward linebackers such as Caleb Bacon and Kooper Ebel, both formerly of Iowa State, while Tony Rojas, the team's top returning defender, works his way back from a torn ACL.
Special teams retain kicker Ryan Barker, who topped the FBS in field‑goal percentage last season, providing a reliable option in close contests, and the unit also benefits from the experience of long‑snapper Zion Tracy and veteran linemen Marcus Neal Jr. and Justin Lustig.
While a College Football Playoff berth remains a long‑term aspiration, Campbell emphasizes sustainable growth, aiming to lay a foundation that can support success beyond a single season and guide the program back to consistent national relevance.