Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544665
M A Y 2 0 2 6 2 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M An Important Addition By all accounts, Barry took full advan- tage of the opportunity. One of the final additions to Penn State's 2026 transfer class, the 6-foot-1, 206-pound Barry spent the past three seasons at Chris- topher Newport University in Newport News, Va. The jump from Division III to the Big Ten might seem daunting, but Barry impressed the staff. "He's come in and done a great job," Campbell said in early April. "He's probably been the surprise so far of [the first] four days of practice, just his abil- ity to get quality reps. We were really excited when Connor decided to come here. "In all these situations, there's a sil- ver lining. And I think Connor getting those quality reps, some of these young guys getting the opportunity to get in and execute the offense, has been really positive." Barry was an important addition given the makeup of the rest of the room. Three of the Lions' six quarter- backs will have freshman eligibility this fall, so experience is a valuable com- modity, even if it's at a lower division. A former three-star prospect from Vienna, Va., Barry started his career at Appalachian State before leaving for Christopher Newport in 2023. In three seasons with the Captains, the last two as their starter, he threw for 5,561 yards and a program-record 55 touchdowns. Last fall, Barry led CNU to a 10-1 record and was a second-team All-American, as well as a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, which goes to the nation's top Division III player. Barry provided Penn State with a vet- eran presence this spring, as well as a sounding board for Becht. "Having Connor Barry in the room is honestly the best for me, because while I'm out, he's also a fifth-year guy, and he's been in college football for a while," Becht said. "His process and learning are quicker than some of these fresh- men that we've got in the room right now, so it's great to have him in there as an extra set of eyes. "I've been able to get along with him well, just because we're the same class, 2022, and we've been through it. We've been through everything in college, and now we're here for our last year. It's been special to have another guy in the room that's a veteran." Waters said he's been impressed with how quickly Barry acclimated to life at college football's highest level. He described the experienced signal- caller as "smart" and able to "make the throws that you need to make." Having a healthy and knowledgeable veteran on hand was helpful in the staff's effort to install a new offense at PSU. "He's a guy who has played a lot of football," Waters said. "Coming in, you can tell that the moment out there in practice isn't too big for him. He's just playing fast and free. The game for him has slowed down compared to some of those other guys who still should be in high school. It's because he's played so much football. We've still got to con- tinue to work to get better, but he's do- ing a really good job." Ready To Rock As for the Nittany Lions' injured quarterbacks, the news was mostly positive this spring. Campbell had said over the winter he didn't want Becht's first pass in Beaver Stadium to come in the Nittany Lions' season opener against Marshall on Sept. 5. With the veteran quarterback in the Connor Barry threw for 5,561 yards and 55 touchdowns at Christopher Newport University before leaving the Division III school to spend his final college season at Penn State. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER "In all these situations, there's a silver lining. And I think Connor [Barry] getting those quality reps, some of these young guys getting the opportunity to get in and execute the offense, has been really positive." M A T T C A M P B E L L O N P S U ' S I N J U R I E S A T Q U A R T E R B A C K