Big Ten · 2026

Penn State

2025 record 7–6 3–6 conference
Postseason Pinstripe Bowl W 22–10 vs Clemson
Head coach Matt Campbell Year 1
Scheme Spread / 4-2-5
Conference
B

Portal #1 volume + Becht/Campbell package off a 7–6 Pinstripe floor; thin high-school pipeline and 3–6 Big Ten temper Team grade

Portal
A−

Portal #1 (volume, 39 commits) — high volume without a matching overall recruiting lift is the caution

Depth
C+

The depth chart fills; Y1 cohesion risk is real

Market odds

To Win Big Ten
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 8.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #8 54 commits · 248.41 pts
Portal #1 39 commits· avg 87.21

Roster notes

Leading story

Campbell Year 1 after James Franklin was fired mid-2025 (Terry Smith interim finished)

Offense

Rocco Becht (Iowa State) is listed QB1 over Alex Manske after Drew Allar’s NFL exit. RB Carson Hansen; WR Chase Sowell / Brett Eskildsen / Koby Howard; TE Andrew Rappleyea

Defense

Defense is a volume-portal 4-2-5 rebuild

Key offense

  1. 01
    Rocco Becht QB
    Portal
    • Iowa State → Penn State
    • 2025: 205/339, 2,584 yds, 16 TD, 9 INT
    • 116 rush yds / 8 TD
  2. 02
    Carson Hansen RB
    Portal
    • 2025: 188 carries, 952 yds, 6 rushing TD
    • 19 receptions, 134 yds
  3. 03
    Brett Eskildsen WR
    Portal
    • 2025: 30 receptions, 526 yds, 5 TD

Key defense

  1. 01
    Marcus Neal Jr. S
    Portal
    • 2025: 77 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 INT, 3 PD
  2. 02
    Kooper Ebel LB
    Portal
    • 2025: 77 tackles, 1.0 sack, 3 PD
  3. 03
    Audavion Collins CB
    Portal
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 47 tackles, 3 PD