Penn State received a major update in their pursuit of quarterback Rocco Becht.
Penn State has had a season full of changes. They entered the 2025 season as one of the favorites to win the National Championship.
However, they had a disappointing season that led to the midseason firing of James Franklin. To replace Franklin, Penn State hired former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell.
Campbell had a record of 72-55 in his 10 years at Iowa State. He will now lead the Nittany Lions, who are looking to have a bounce-back season in 2026.
Campbell has been recruiting many of his former Iowa State players, and one of them is quarterback Rocco Becht. Becht has officially entered the transfer portal and will visit Penn State.
He would be a major addition, as he has familiarity with Campbell. Becht put together an impressive season playing under Campbell. In 2023, he completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 3,120 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Becht followed that up with a solid sophomore campaign, completing 59.4 percent of his passes for 3,505 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 318 yards and eight touchdowns.
In the 2025 season, Becht completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 2,584 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He added 116 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
With quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer entering the transfer portal, Becht could be the starter for Penn State right away.
Grunkemeyer had a solid season for the Nittany Lions, completing 69.1 percent of his passes for 1,339 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions.
He was solid for Penn State, but with the coaching change, he went into the transfer portal, and the Nittany Lions are now pursuing Becht.
Campbell and Penn State have a lot of work to do as they look to build the team back up into being contenders. The Nittany Lions made it to the College Football Playoff in 2024, but their roster and coaching staff will be a lot different in 2026.
To have success, Campbell will need a quarterback that he can trust, and Becht fits the bill as they have worked together over the last few seasons.