Penn State is expected to have a good 2026 season even after suffering a poor high school recruiting class after losing head coach James Franklin.
Penn State had a hard time convincing high school seniors to join the program amid an elongated national coaching search.
During the season, interim head coach Terry Smith suggested the Nittany Lions would suffer losses in recruiting if they didn't quickly hire someone other than replace James Franklin, who became the head coach of Virginia Tech.
Franklin was able to get recruits to flip. Per 247 Sports, VT has the No. 28 recruiting class for 2026. PSU is ranked No. 69, with only three four-star commits and 11 three-star recruits.
New Penn State head coach Matt Campbell was hired just in time for the transfer portal to open, and he boosted the roster for next season. PSU ranks No. 6 in the transfer portal, but ranks 44th overall for recruiting.
Pete Nakos of On3 named Penn State one of the winners in the transfer portal this offseason.
Nakos thinks the additions will help PSU be competitive in the Big Ten in 2026 after landing quarterback Rocco Becht.
"Campbell brought in a familiar name at quarterback with Iowa State’s Rocco Becht," Nakos wrote. "He’s a 39-game starter who can handle the transition between coaches and get Penn State competing in the Big Ten."
Becht is the biggest name Campbell brought over Iowa State, but he's one of a small army of former Cyclones that will make an impact at State College.
"In total, Campbell brought 23 Iowa State players with him to Happy Valley," Nakos wrote. That group, which includes standout tight end Benjamin Brahmer, safety Marcus Neal and cornerback Jeremiah Cooper, gives Campbell a core of experienced talent to lean on who know the system and culture he is trying to build."
Nakos also noted that former Ohio State running back James Peoples was a big get for PSU. He thinks former Texas State offensive lineman Brock Riker has a chance to earn the starting job at center next season.
Campbell did the best he could to build a competitive roster under the circumstances. It'll be interesting to see how the Big 12 transfers play against Big Ten competition.
While PSU might not challenge for the Big Ten championship in 2026, the team should avoid a disastrous campaign thanks to the transfer portal.