STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The speculation is over, and the transformation of Penn State football is officially underway.
On Thursday, the university confirmed the addition of 24 transfer players for the spring semester, a group headlined by former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht.
The New QB1
Becht, the 2023 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, reunites with Head Coach Matt Campbell and Quarterbacks Coach Jake Waters. In three seasons at Iowa State, Becht threw for over 9,000 yards and 64 touchdowns. His arrival addresses the immediate need for an experienced starter following the departures of Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer.
Also joining the quarterback room is Alex Manske, Becht’s former backup at Iowa State, giving the Lions two quarterbacks intimately familiar with Campbell’s system.
The “Ames-to-State” Pipeline
As expected, a significant portion of the transfer class comes from Campbell’s former program. Familiarity with the culture and scheme appears to be a priority for this transition year. Key additions include:
- Chase Sowell (WR): A big-bodied target who led ISU in receiving yards last season.
- Caleb Bacon (LB): A tackling machine who will anchor the middle of the defense.
- Noteable Defenders: DBs Marcus Neal Jr. and Jamison Patton will immediately bolster the secondary.
Major Additions from Elsewhere
While the Iowa State connection is strong, Campbell also landed a major prize from a Big Ten rival.
James Peoples, the former Ohio State running back, has committed to Penn State. Peoples brings explosive playmaking ability to a backfield that returns Quinton Martin Jr., creating a potent 1-2 punch.
By The Numbers: Production vs. Potential
Rocco Becht arrives with a statistical resume that arguably exceeds any transfer quarterback Penn State has landed in the modern era.
- 2024 (Sophomore at ISU): 3,505 passing yards, 25 Touchdowns.
- 2025 (Junior at ISU): 2,584 passing yards, 16 Touchdowns (in a more run-balanced offense).
- The Comparison: For context, Drew Allar threw for approximately 2,600 yards in the 2024 season. Becht has demonstrated the ability to carry a high-volume passing attack (2024) and manage a balanced system (2025). His 6,000+ career passing yards in the Power 4 (formerly Power 5) suggest he is not a “bridge” quarterback but a legitimate All-Big Ten contender from Day 1.
With the roster overhaul largely complete, attention now turns to winter workouts, which begin next week.