Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542734
6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M N ew Penn State head coach Matt Campbell landed commitments from 39 players during the transfer window from Jan. 2-16. Of that number, 19 are slated to play on offense for the Nittany Lions, and the newcomers in- clude bona fide starters, rotational play- ers and developmental projects at every layer of the eligibility spectrum. But in college football, especially at a place like Penn State, the expectations are to win right away. Here's a look at the 10 players most likely to have an early impact. 10. Keith Jones Jr. | WR | R-So. One of Penn State's final portal pick- ups on offense came from Grambling, with Jones joining the Lions just in time for the start of the spring semester. He checks in at 208 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame and has three years left after catching 32 passes for 450 yards and 5 touchdowns last fall. Jones will look to sneak into the back of the rotation next fall. 9. Gabe Burkle | TE | R-Sr. Tight end will be important for Penn State, and Burkle was on a good pace last season at Iowa State before suffer- ing an injury against TCU in November. He started seven of nine games and had 26 catches for 302 yards and a touch- down. The 6-6, 255-pound Burkle will block more than teammate Ben Brah- mer, too, and will have a role as an in- line guy. 8. Brett Eskildsen | WR | Jr. The receivers room is a work in prog- ress, but it's likely Eskildsen will work his way into the top half of the rotation. An honorable mention All-Big 12 pick for the Cyclones last fall, he finished with 30 catches for a team-high 526 yards and 5 touchdowns. 7. James Peoples | RB | Jr. Ranking Penn State's incoming run- ning backs is a crapshoot. Peoples was Ohio State's No. 1 back heading into preseason camp last fall, but when true freshman Bo Jackson took over the start- ing spot, Peoples faded. That doesn't mean the former four-star prospect isn't talented, but a fresh start was in order. 6. Carson Hansen | RB | Sr. Hansen will begin the season as the team's most experienced ball carrier. He was a second-team All-Big 12 pick last fall and started nine games for the Cyclones, finishing with 950 yards and 6 touchdowns on 187 carries. It's unclear whether he's an every-down guy in the Big Ten, but he did handle the load down the stretch for Iowa State, carrying 74 times in three November outings. 5. Ben Brahmer | TE | Sr. Brahmer earned second-team All- Big 12 honors in 2025 and was a Mackey Award semifinalist. He's not a complete tight end; Penn State will likely rely on redshirt junior returnee Andrew Rapple- yea and Burkle as blockers. But he is a big target who caught 37 passes for 446 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025. Brah- mer will use his 6-7, 255-pound frame across the middle of the field and in the red zone. Be warned now — fades are coming. 4. Chase Sowell | WR | R-Sr. Sowell started his career at Colorado, then headed to East Carolina and later Iowa State. Now, he'll finish his career with the Nittany Lions. He's really come around the past two years. Although he's battled injuries, Sowell was the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2025 after catching 32 passes for 500 yards and 2 touchdowns. There's explosive potential here, which this offense really needs. 3. Brock Riker | OL | R-So. After transferring from Texas State, Riker has a shot to anchor the center po- sition for the next few years. He'll have to compete with redshirt senior Dominic Rulli, but if he wins the job, he imme- diately becomes one of the Lions' most important pickups. The 6-4, 285-pound Riker will have to improve in the size and strength department, but he has some skills that can translate to a higher level. 2. Trevor Buhr | OL | R-Jr. Buhr started six games in each of the past two years. He began the 2025 season on the shelf with an illness but ended up earning honorable mention All-Big 12 accolades. With two years of eligibil- ity remaining, he could pair with junior returnee Cooper Cousins to give the Nit- tany Lions some bulk at the guard spots. 1. Rocco Becht | QB | R-Sr. This choice is pretty obvious. Becht saw his numbers take a step back in 2025, but he's Campbell's guy, and the offense will operate around him. Although a bit undersized at 6-1, 210 pounds, Becht is scrappy and likes to throw the deep ball. He had surgery on his nonthrowing shoulder in December, so his availability for spring practice is uncertain, but he's going to be the starter, and the offense will have to lean on his experience. ■ Re ce i ve r C h a s e S o w e l l wa s t h e B i g 12 O f f e n s i ve Newcomer of the Year in 2025 and will suit up for Penn State as a redshirt senior. PHOTO COURTESY ON3 These Transfers Will Have An Impact On Offense JUDGMENT CALL O P I N I O N SEAN FITZ SEAN.FITZ@ON3.COM