Transfer QB Rocco Becht Takes Reins as Penn State Heads Into 2026 Season

Penn State will open its 2026 season with Rocco Becht under center, as the transfer quarterback from Iowa State has been named the starting signal-caller for the Nittany Lions heading into a campaign defined by significant roster and coaching turnover.

Becht arrives in Happy Valley after serving as a three-year starter for the Cyclones, where he appeared in all 12 games last season and helped Iowa State post an 8-4 record. The year began impressively with a 5-0 start that included a season-opening win over Kansas State in Ireland, a game in which Becht threw for two touchdowns and added a rushing score in a 24-21 victory. A four-game losing streak in the middle of the season complicated matters, with a low point coming in a 41-27 loss to BYU in which Becht threw three interceptions after Iowa State led 17-7 in the first quarter.

Becht finished 2025 with 2,584 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, and eight rushing touchdowns, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors once. He holds Iowa State program records for most consecutive games with a passing touchdown and most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.

Familiar Faces Surround Becht in State College

One factor working in Becht's favor is continuity with the coaching staff. He will continue playing under head coach Matt Campbell alongside offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser and quarterbacks coach Jake Waters — the same staff that guided his development at Iowa State. A number of former Iowa State teammates also made the move with him through the transfer portal, giving the new-look Penn State offense a degree of built-in familiarity entering the season.

Penn State is set to open the 2026 season against Marshall, with the most consequential tests on the schedule expected to come against Michigan, USC, and Washington. Becht was regarded as one of the top available quarterbacks on the transfer market this offseason, and a strong performance in those marquee matchups could keep the Nittany Lions in contention for a College Football Playoff berth under the 12-team format. A 3,000-yard passing season would represent a rebound from his 2025 output, a mark Becht had surpassed in each of his first two seasons at Iowa State when accounting for postseason games.

Also drawing attention in Penn State's pre-camp coverage on Friday was long snapper Blaise Sokach-Minnick, who is entering his fifth season with the program and is expected to earn a starting role this fall. The West Pittston, Pennsylvania native has appeared in six career games and has received academic All-Big Ten recognition three consecutive years.