Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545007
3 2 J U N E / J U L 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 T here's a lot of proven talent on Penn State's roster in 2026, and that fact brings hope of a suc- cessful campaign. The top quarterback from Iowa State, redshirt senior Rocco Becht, has re- teamed with his top running back, as well as two veteran receivers, a pair of experienced tight ends, and a key offen- sive lineman. In addition, there has been an Iowa State talent infusion on defense, and the former Cyclones have combined with established returnees from Penn State to give the team a solid foundation. What's more, those ISU and PSU play- ers are being complemented by targeted additions from other schools around the country. New head coach Matt Campbell said prior to the start of spring practice that he likes the talent pool he and his staff have assembled. "I feel like we have a re- ally competitive roster," he said. That assessment carries weight in two areas. First, Penn State's roster must be judged relative to the teams it will be fac- ing this fall. Against a schedule that in- cludes three opponents that ESPN proj- ects as top-25 teams — No. 20 USC (Oct. 10), at No. 14 Michigan (Oct. 17) and at No. 17 Washington (Nov. 7) — the No. 15 Nittany Lions shouldn't be outmatched or heavy underdogs in any regular-sea- son game. Also, the sentiment surrounding com- petitiveness applies. Recognizing that the best possible version of this Penn State roster, by position group, has names that stand apart, the path for- ward will demand the excellence of both top-level performers as well as to-be- determined depth and wild cards. So, what are the pressure points for the roster this season? With spring prac- tice now in the rear-view, the following dynamics are most likely to dictate the successes or shortcomings of this team in 2026. Receivers, Receivers, Receivers Really, there are no doubts with red- shirt senior Chase Sowell and junior Brett Eskildsen, the Iowa State transfers. At least not in the way that Campbell has talked about the two veterans. Both were recovering from injuries this spring, as was Becht, but they were able to work together in a limited capacity toward the end of the team's offseason drills. KEYS EYS T TO S SUCCESS UCCESS The Nittany Lions' football fortunes this coming fall will hinge on a handful of critical factors NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M Receiver Koby Howard will have a chance to step into a more prominent role as a sophomore after catching 7 passes for 133 yards in his debut season. PHOTO BY THOMAS FRANK CARR