Penn State Football Begins New Era Under Matt Campbell

State College, Pa. — Penn State football begins a new era under head coach Matt Campbell, who was hired in December after a two-month search to replace James Franklin following a 7-6 season capped by a Pinstripe Bowl victory. Campbell, previously at Iowa State for nine years, has quickly reshaped the Nittany Lions' roster through the transfer portal and late high school recruiting, positioning the team for a potential rebound in 2026.

The program added more than 40 transfers, with the majority coming from Iowa State, including veteran quarterback Rocco Becht, a three-year starter under Campbell who underwent surgery for a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder last season. These additions join over three dozen other incoming players, bolstering depth across positions. Among them is edge rusher Elijah Reeder, a top former Iowa State recruit who will pair with December signee Jackson Ford to form a promising pass-rushing duo.

High school recruiting proved challenging after Franklin's departure, which led many initial commitments to flip to Virginia Tech, where Franklin landed. Penn State signed only two prospects in December amid the coaching transition but assembled a 15-player...