A New Era Dawns for Penn State Football: After the departure of James Franklin, Penn State (PSU) has appointed Matt Campbell from Iowa State as their new head coach. This transition marks a significant shift, especially considering the Nittany Lions' roster challenges. With a large number of seniors graduating and underclassmen likely transferring, Campbell faces the urgent task of rebuilding the team. But who could he bring with him? Let's dive into some key players from Iowa State that could make their way to Penn State. But here's where it gets controversial... can Campbell convince them to come?
The Transfer Portal is Open: The transfer portal opens on January 2nd, and Campbell will likely target former Cyclones players and some of Iowa State's 2026 signees to bolster the roster. Additionally, retaining young talent from the 2025 Penn State team will be crucial. Let's look at some key players who could be a great fit at PSU.
1. Rocco Becht, Redshirt Junior Quarterback: The quarterback position is arguably the most critical. While Ethan Grunkemeyer showed promise, Campbell has a strong history with Becht, who was his starter for three seasons at Iowa State. Becht earned accolades like second-team All-America and Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2023. Though his 2025 stats were slightly lower, he still threw for over 200 yards per game and 16 touchdowns. He is also a threat to run the ball, with 19 career rushing scores. This is a solid option for the Nittany Lions.
2. Carson Hanson & Abu Sama III, Junior Running Backs: Iowa State's running back duo, Hanson and Sama, provided a strong ground game. Hanson rushed for 950 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Sama added 732 yards and 5 touchdowns. Hanson was named All-Big 12 second-team this year. Both are productive, and their addition could strengthen Penn State's rushing attack.
3. Benjamin Brahmer, Junior Tight End: Penn State loves its tight ends, and Brahmer, at 6'7" and 255 pounds, fits the bill. He was a freshman All-American in 2023 and had a breakout season in 2025 with 37 receptions for 446 yards and 6 touchdowns. This is the kind of player that can make a big difference in the red zone.
4. Marcus Neal Jr., Sophomore Defensive Back: Iowa State's defense, though ranked 27th in scoring, struggled with pass rushing. Neal, a third-team All-Big 12 selection, was key in the secondary, tying for the team lead with 77 tackles and adding 2 interceptions. A strong secondary can make up for a weak pass rush, which is what Penn State needs.
5. Jontez Williams, Redshirt Junior Defensive Back: Williams might be Iowa State's best defensive back. Targeted 15 times, he allowed only 8 receptions and was the Cyclones' top-graded defender. A second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2024, Williams offers experience and skill.
6. Kooper Ebel, Junior Linebacker: Ebel tied with Neal with 77 tackles. If Campbell brings his defensive coordinator, Jon Heacock, the veteran experience of Ebel could be a major asset. He also broke up 3 passes this season.
7. Chase Sowell, Redshirt Junior Wide Receiver: Sowell, who has played at multiple schools, finished second among Iowa State receivers with 500 yards and 2 touchdowns. His size (6'3", 210 pounds) adds a physical presence to the receiving corps.
8. Brett Eskildsen, Sophomore Wide Receiver: Eskildsen led the Cyclones in receiving in 2025, with 30 catches for 526 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is a promising young talent.
9. Jeffrey Roberts, 2026 4-Star Wide Receiver: Campbell might try to bring Roberts, a top-500 prospect, with him. Roberts' recruitment was primarily focused on Iowa State, so a strong relationship with Campbell could be key. He had impressive high school stats: 117 receptions for 2,519 yards and 31 touchdowns. This could be a good long-term investment for the Nittany Lions.
10. Elijah Reeder, 2026 3-Star Defensive End: Reeder, another top-500 signee, is from New Jersey, an area Penn State recruits heavily. He recorded 50 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks in his senior year. Landing him would be a good recruiting win for Campbell.
The Big Question: Can Matt Campbell successfully rebuild Penn State's roster with these key players from Iowa State? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
