Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell is already getting busy on the recruiting trail.
The Penn State Nittany Lions hired Matt Campbell as their new head coach earlier this month, and Campbell has already gotten to work.
On Wednesday, Campbell stole a recruit from his former Iowa State Cyclones squad, flipping three-star linebacker Keian Kaiser.
Kaiser committed to Iowa State in early 2025, but after Campbell bolted Ames for Happy Valley, the young defender has decided to join him.
“Coach Campbell and his staff have done a really good job at making me feel like an important part of this recruiting class,” Kaiser said, via Ryan Snyder of On 3. “They’ve always believed very highly in me.”
Kaiser is the 97th-ranked linebacker in the class of 2026, via 247 Sports' composite rankings. The Sidney, Ne. product has accumulated 352 tackles over the course of his high-school career.
Campbell spent 10 seasons at Iowa State, going 72-55 while leading the Cyclones to three bowl victories. His most impressive showing came in 2024, when he went 11-3 and guided Iowa State to a win over Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl.
Penn State Nittany Lions coach Matt Campbell. Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images.The Cyclones were a bit disappointing in 2025, going 8-4, but there is no question that Campbell did a tremendous job building the program.
It would be the least bit surprising if Campbell steals numerous players away from Iowa State. In fact, following Rocco Becht's decision to enter the transfer portal, there is already speculation that Penn State could ultimately land the veteran quarterback, who threw for 2,584 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.
In terms of program prestige, there is no question that Penn State is a major step up from Iowa State, so we will see how Campbell handles the increase in pressure.
Chances are, the 46-year-old will be just fine.
Campbell actually began his head-coaching career at Toledo in 2011 and spent parts of five seasons with the school, going 35-15 and guiding the Rockets to a pair of bowl victories.
The Nittany Lions went just 6-6 this past season in spite of entering the campaign with national championship aspirations. James Franklin was fired as head coach following a 3-3 start, ending his 12-plus year run with the program.