Look, if you’ve been following Penn State football for more than five minutes, you know the drill. Every January we start playing the "what if" game with the roster. But honestly, the penn state football depth chart 2025 is a whole different beast than what we’re used to seeing in Happy Valley. We aren't just talking about a couple of guys leaving for the NFL; we're talking about a massive, portal-driven facelift that has essentially turned Beaver Stadium into Iowa State East—thanks to the Matt Campbell era officially kicking off.
The vibes changed fast. After James Franklin’s firing, the hiring of Campbell brought a tidal wave of turnover. We're talking 39 portal additions in one window. It’s chaotic. It’s exciting. And if you’re trying to keep track of who is actually lining up at the Mike linebacker spot or who’s catching passes from the new QB, you’ve got your work cut out for you.
The Quarterback Room: A Cyclone Warning
Basically, the most important piece of the 2025 puzzle is under center. Drew Allar is gone. The era of the "five-star savior" ended with an injury-hampered 2025 season and a transition to the next chapter. Enter Rocco Becht.
Becht isn't just a random portal find; he’s the guy who knows Campbell’s system inside and out. He put up over 2,500 yards and 16 touchdowns last season at Iowa State, and he’s stepping into a Penn State room that desperately needs stability. He’s the "Red Box" QB—reliable, efficient, and mobile enough to keep Big Ten defenses honest.
Then you’ve got Beau Pribula. The fan favorite decided to stay for his senior year, which is huge. He’s arguably the most dangerous runner in the conference at the position. If the starter struggles or they need a spark in the red zone, Pribula is the ultimate change-of-pace weapon. Behind them, guys like Ethan Grunkemeyer and Jack Lambert are waiting in the wings, but make no mistake: this is Becht’s team to lose.
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Backfield and Pass Catchers: Life After Singleton
It’s weird seeing a Penn State backfield without Nick Singleton. He’s off to the NFL, leaving the "Fatman," Kaytron Allen, as the undisputed alpha. Allen is coming off a monster 1,385-yard season. He’s the bell cow now.
But who spells him? Quinton Martin Jr. is the name you need to circle. He turned heads in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson with a 100-yard performance, and his versatility in the return game makes him a locked-in RB2.
The wide receiver room is where things get really "portal-y."
- Keith Jones Jr. (Grambling State transfer): He’s the new WR1. He had 950 yards last year and has that elite "stretch the field" speed Penn State has lacked.
- Trebor Pena: The former Syracuse standout and team captain brings veteran hands to the slot.
- Devonte Ross: A Troy transfer who provides that twitchy, run-after-catch ability.
Don't sleep on the young guys though. Koby Howard and Tyseer Denmark showed flashes of brilliance as freshmen. Fans were screaming for them to play more in 2025, and in 2026, they’ll likely be pushed into heavy rotation roles.
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Rebuilding the Trenches
The offensive line is a bit of a concern for some, mostly because Anthony Donkoh is the only returning starter with real tenure. He’s moved into a leadership role as a redshirt junior, likely anchoring the right side. Cooper Cousins is the other "must-watch" name here. He’s a versatile beast who can play guard or center and is widely considered the most talented lineman on the roster.
Campbell brought a few of his Iowa State "Hogs" with him, including Brock Riker and Trevor Buhr. Riker specifically is a technician; he had a 99.3 pass-blocking efficiency rating at Texas State before moving. This unit might not have the name recognition of past years, but it’s built for the gritty, zone-blocking scheme Campbell prefers.
The "LBU" Identity and a Revamped Front
On defense, the big win was keeping Tony Rojas. After a season-ending injury last year, there were rumors he might head to Miami. He stayed. He’s the "Defensive QB" at Mike linebacker. Alongside him, Amare Campbell and Alex Tatsch give Penn State a trio that actually lives up to the Linebacker U moniker.
The defensive line is undergoing a massive shift:
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- Max Granville: He burned his redshirt for a reason. He’s got the fastest first step on the team and will be the primary edge rusher.
- Dallas Vakalahi: A 318-pound transfer from Utah. He’s a human brick wall in the B-gap.
- Zane Durant: The veteran presence in the middle who chose to return for his senior year.
In the secondary, Zion Tracy is the new playmaker. He led the team in tackles-for-loss from the corner position last year, which is almost unheard of. With A.J. Harris and Audavion Collins also returning, the Nittany Lions might actually have the best cornerback room in the Big Ten.
Special Teams: The "Barker" Reliability
Special teams usually get ignored until a kick goes wide, but Ryan Barker is someone you can't ignore. He was 18-of-19 on field goals last year. In a season that will likely feature a lot of tight, ball-control games under Campbell, having a guy who can hit from 49 yards out with ice in his veins is a massive luxury.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Season
If you're looking to track this roster as it moves toward the 2026 season, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the "LionCat" packages: With Becht and Pribula both being high-IQ players, expect more creative two-QB sets than we saw under the previous regime.
- Monitor the TE breakout: Andrew Rappleyea and Luke Reynolds are both essentially WRs in TE bodies. If the wideouts struggle to create separation, the offense will flow through these two.
- Depth is the key: Penn State finally has a "two-deep" that doesn't drop off significantly in quality, particularly at linebacker and defensive back.
The penn state football depth chart 2025 reflects a program that has stopped trying to be "Ohio State Lite" and is instead leaning into a tough, disciplined, and portal-savvy identity. It’s going to be a bumpy ride as 39 new faces learn to play together, but the ceiling is undeniably higher than it's been in years.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on spring practice reports specifically regarding the left tackle battle between Drew Shelton and the incoming Iowa State transfers, as that remains the biggest question mark on an otherwise loaded roster.