Honestly, if you took a nap back in September and just woke up today, January 15, 2026, you wouldn't even recognize the place. Happy Valley is currently the epicenter of the weirdest, most aggressive roster facelift in college football history. It’s a lot to process.
James Franklin is gone. He's down in Blacksburg now, trying to rebuild Virginia Tech with a handful of former Nittany Lions like Luke Reynolds and Kenny Woseley Jr. who followed him through the portal. Meanwhile, State College has basically become "Ames East."
The Matt Campbell Revolution and the Iowa State Invasion
When the news dropped in early December that Matt Campbell was taking the job, people expected change. But nobody expected this. We aren't just talking about a new playbook; we're talking about a wholesale cultural transplant.
The penn state football latest news right now is dominated by one staggering number: 36. That is how many incoming transfers Campbell has secured since the portal opened on January 2nd. Out of those, 22 are former Iowa State players. It's wild. It’s like the entire roster of the 2025 Cyclones just hopped on a bus and headed for the PA Turnpike.
The biggest name? Rocco Becht.
Becht is the projected QB1 for 2026, and he isn't coming alone. He’s bringing his favorite targets, like tight end Benjamin Brahmer and wide receiver Zay Robinson. It’s a bold strategy. Campbell is essentially betting that the chemistry developed in the Big 12 will translate immediately to the Big Ten.
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But let’s be real for a second. Is this a genius move or a desperate one?
Fans are split. Half the message boards are thrilled because Campbell just came off an 11-win season at Iowa State. The other half is terrified that the "Penn State identity" is being erased in favor of a ready-made roster that might not have the depth to survive a Big Ten schedule.
Grading the New Staff
It’s not just the players. The coaching staff is almost entirely new, with the exception of a few holdovers like Terry Smith. Here’s how the room is shaping up:
- Taylor Mouser (Offensive Coordinator): He’s been Campbell’s right-hand man for a decade. He’s known for developing tight ends, which is lucky since Penn State is "TE U."
- Ryan Clanton (Offensive Line): He has the hardest job in the building. Penn State lost four starters to the NFL. He’s trying to patch that hole with guys like Will Tompkins and Kuol Kuol.
- Savon Huggins (Running Backs): A former Boston College assistant and Rutgers star. He’s one of the few guys on staff with deep East Coast recruiting ties.
What Happened in the Pinstripe Bowl?
Before the world turned upside down, there was actually a football game played. Penn State finished the 2025 season on a high note, beating Clemson 22-10 in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27th.
It was a gritty, weird game.
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Redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer actually looked decent, throwing for 262 yards and two scores. Trebor Peña had a 73-yard touchdown catch that reminded everyone why speed matters. But despite that win—and a four-game winning streak to end the year—the program still finished 7-6.
That 7-6 record is exactly why James Franklin was shown the door in October. The middle-of-the-season collapse, featuring losses to Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern, Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana, was just too much for the boosters to stomach.
The Retainees: Who Stayed?
Despite the portal exodus (over 45 players left!), some massive foundational pieces decided to stick around for the Campbell era.
- Tony Rojas: This is the biggest win. Having Rojas back at linebacker provides a veteran heartbeat for a defense that is losing a lot of production.
- Quinton Martin Jr.: He ran for over 100 yards in the bowl game. Even with Iowa State transfer Carson Hansen and Ohio State transfer James Peoples coming in, Martin looks like a legit RB1 contender.
- Zion Tracy: Having a veteran presence in the secondary is crucial, especially since Campbell lost his top target, Jontez Williams, to USC.
The Gaping Holes Remaining
Don't let the 35+ commitments fool you. This roster is still a work in progress. Honestly, the "Edge Crisis" is real.
Losing Dani Dennis-Sutton to the NFL was expected. Losing virtually every other edge rusher to the transfer portal was not. Guys like Max Granville and Mason Robinson are returning, but they are unproven. If Penn State can't find a way to pressure the quarterback, 2026 is going to be a long year regardless of how many Iowa State players are on the field.
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The offensive tackle spot is equally shaky. Campbell brought in some size, but the Big Ten is a different beast than the Big 12 when it comes to the trenches.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the chaos, here is what you actually need to do over the next few weeks:
- Watch the Friday Deadline: The transfer portal window for entry closes tomorrow, January 16th. Expect one last flurry of "Who's in" and "Who's out" posts.
- Check the Spring Semester Roster: Several members of the 2026 high school recruiting class, like QB Peyton Falzone and RB D’Antae Sheffey, have already enrolled. Seeing who actually shows up for winter workouts will tell you more than a social media graphic ever will.
- Look for Defensive Line Additions: If Penn State doesn't land at least two more experienced edge rushers before spring ball, the defense will be the team's Achilles' heel.
- Ignore the "Recruiting Rankings" for Now: Penn State’s 2026 high school class is currently ranked near the bottom of the FBS (around 139th). This is normal during a coaching transition. Campbell is clearly prioritizing the portal to "win now" while the high school relationships take time to build.
The Ki-Jana Carter news—his election to the College Football Hall of Fame—is a nice reminder of the program's ceiling. But right now, the floor is being completely rebuilt. Whether Matt Campbell can turn "Iowa State East" into a Big Ten champion remains the biggest question in college football.
Monitor the defensive end scholarship offers. That’s the true signal of whether this staff knows how to fix the remaining roster gaps.