The Penn State Nittany Lions will rely heavily on the transfer portal for the upcoming season, as their high school recruiting class is barebones, mainly due to uncertainty about the head coach.
It took months for Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft to hire a new head coach after firing James Franklin, and the delay stopped the school from hitting its typically high recruiting marks.
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Now, new head coach Matt Campbell is starting somewhat on the backfoot in terms of roster building, but he has been handed a sizeable budget.
Per a new report, four former Iowa State players may follow Campbell to Penn State, allowing him to use a good deal of his budget on proven names.
Campbell comes from Iowa State, where he has built a strong recruiting pipeline due to his longevity at the school and the sense of closeness he fosters with players.
He passed on multiple job offers over the years before accepting Penn State’s offer, building loyalty among his players, which may be repaid to him.
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Penn State has been linked to four former Campbell players, all of whom could help next season, according to reporting from Pete Nakos of On3.
“With running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen set to move on, running back is expected to be a top position of need in the portal. Iowa State running back Carson Hansen has already announced he is entering the transfer portal,” Nakos wrote.
“Penn State is also evaluating other positions in the transfer portal market, sources have told On3. The Nittany Lions are viewed as the top school to watch for Iowa State transfer quarterback Rocco Becht. While he’s expected to evaluate the rest of the market, Becht’s entire offensive coaching infrastructure from Ames is now at Penn State.
“Other potential transfers to watch are Iowa State tight end Benjamin Brahmer and cornerback Jeremiah Cooper. Brahmer had 37 catches for 446 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. He’s a former Freshman All-American and is viewed as one of the top tight ends in the portal.”
With the departure of Drew Allar, Penn State could use a seasoned quarterback for next season, making Becht a natural fit for the Big Ten school.
Additionally, any player who knows Campbell’s system could be a significant help in establishing a new culture and fostering familiarity among players who likely know very little about their new coach.
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