If you’ve been away from your phone for even a week, you probably wouldn’t recognize the Penn State locker room right now. Seriously. The "We Are" chant is the same, but almost every face in the building is different. We’re witnessing the most aggressive, lightning-fast rebuild in the history of this program, and honestly, it’s about time.
The big headline? James Franklin is out and already making noise at Virginia Tech. Matt Campbell is in.
The Matt Campbell Era Hits the Ground Running
Matt Campbell didn't just walk into State College; he brought a literal moving van full of talent with him from Ames. As of January 16, 2026, Penn State officially announced 39—yes, 39—transfer additions. It’s basically a roster overhaul in a single winter window.
The coolest (or weirdest, depending on your vibe) part is that 24 of those guys followed Campbell from Iowa State. It's like the Cyclones just changed their jerseys to blue and white.
You’ve got Rocco Becht, the senior quarterback who has 39 starts under his belt, coming in to take the keys to the offense. For a program that has spent years waiting for a quarterback to "turn the corner," getting a guy with that much veteran experience is massive. He’s not coming here to learn; he’s coming here to win right now.
But it’s not just the roster. The coaching staff is a total Iowa State reunion too. Taylor Mouser is the new offensive coordinator, and Ryan Clanton is taking over the offensive line. It’s clear Campbell wants a system that already works, rather than spending a year "installing" a new culture.
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What Happened to James Franklin?
Look, the breakup was messy. After an 11-year run, Penn State fired Franklin back in October 2025 following a brutal three-game skid in Big Ten play. He finished with 104 wins, which is great on paper, but the "Big Game James" narrative finally caught up to him.
Funnily enough, he’s already back in the news at Virginia Tech. The latest penn state nittany lions football news fans are laughing about is Franklin’s first schedule move in Blacksburg. He basically dodged a 2026 game against James Madison (a CFP team!) to keep the non-conference schedule soft. Some things never change, right?
The Pinstripe Bowl: A Weird Ending and a New Beginning
It’s easy to forget that this team actually finished the 2025 season on a high note. They went to the Pinstripe Bowl and took down Clemson 22-10.
It was a glimpse of what could be. Ethan Grunkemeyer, the redshirt freshman QB, looked solid, throwing for 262 yards and two scores. Quinton Martin Jr. finally broke out, too. He didn’t get a single carry in the regular season but then exploded for 101 yards against the Tigers.
That win got the Nittany Lions to a 7-6 record. Not exactly elite, but way better than where they were headed in mid-October.
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The Roster Shuffle: Who’s Staying?
The transfer portal didn't just bring people in; it saw a lot of familiar names head for the exit.
- Jaxon Smolik (QB) is out.
- Ethan Grunkemeyer (QB) is actually in the portal too, potentially looking to reunite with Franklin at Virginia Tech.
- Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are off to the NFL Draft.
Replacing that backfield production is going to be the biggest hurdle for 2026. Campbell is leaning on James Peoples (an Ohio State transfer) and Carson Hansen (another Iowa State import) to fill that void.
On defense, keep an eye on Yvan Kemajou. He was a freshman standout on the edge last year with 5 TFLs. New defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn—who came over from the UCLA/USC world—is reportedly building the whole scheme around Kemajou’s pass-rushing ability.
Recruiting is Kinda Redeeming Itself
For a minute there, the 2026 recruiting class was falling apart. Six players de-committed the week Franklin was fired.
But Campbell has stabilized the ship. He just landed Henry "Hank" Lustig, the son of special teams coach Justin Lustig. Hank is a local State College kid who absolutely balled out in 6A ball last year. We’ve also got four-star QB Peyton Falzone and edge rusher Jackson Ford already enrolled and ready for spring ball.
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It’s a weird mix of 24-year-old transfers and 18-year-old freshmen, but somehow it feels more cohesive than it did a year ago.
Why the 2026 Outlook is Actually Sunny
If you’re a Penn State fan, you’re probably tired of the "almost" seasons. You’re tired of losing to Ohio State by one score.
The Matt Campbell approach is different. He’s not promising a "national championship or bust" every year in his press conferences. He’s building a team that is older, more experienced, and frankly, more rugged.
What you should do next:
- Watch the Spring Game: This will be the first time we see Rocco Becht in a Penn State jersey. Pay attention to his timing with the wide receivers, especially the transfers like Chase Sowell.
- Track the 2026 NFL Draft: Watch where guys like Abdul Carter and Drew Allar land. Their success at the next level is still the best recruiting tool this program has.
- Check the O-Line depth: Campbell brought in seven new offensive linemen. That’s where Big Ten games are won, and that’s where Penn State has struggled for a decade.
Basically, the 2026 season isn't just another year. It’s a total hard reset. For the first time in a long time, the Nittany Lions are an unpredictable wildcard, and that’s actually pretty exciting.