Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 3 9 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Q U A R T E R B A C K S / / / / / / / PERSONNEL POSITION COACH Jake Waters: Waters was a natural fit for Penn State, having served on Matt Campbell's staff at Iowa State since 2021, including two seasons as quarterbacks coach. He's also a former PSU recruiting target. Bill O'Brien took a look at Waters years ago before he ultimately ended up at Kansas State coming out of Iowa West- ern Community College. "Jake is a valuable and talented member of our coaching staff, and we are excited to see him in this new role," Campbell said in 2024 when he promoted Waters from an off-field assistant role to quarterbacks coach. "He has earned this opportunity be- cause of his hard work and the impact he's made during his four seasons with the program. His experience on our staff will make this a seamless transition for him and our team as he moves into this position." Replacing Danny O'Brien, who followed James Franklin to Virginia Tech, Waters will reteam with a pair of fellow Iowa State transplants — redshirt senior Rocco Becht and redshirt freshman Alex Manske. RETURNING SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS None NEWCOMERS CONNOR BARRY Sr. | 6-1 | 211 • Came to Penn State as a walk-on in Jan- uary but was put on scholarship after excelling during spring practice. • Threw for 5,561 yards and a program- record 55 touchdowns in three seasons at Christopher Newport University. • Spent his freshman year at Appalachian State in 2022 before transferring to Christopher Newport in 2023. • Developed into a three-star prospect during his prep career at James Madi- son High in Vienna, Va. ROCCO BECHT R-Sr. | 6-1 | 208 • Was a three-year starter at Iowa State, where he threw for 9,274 yards, with 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions while also rushing for 499 yards and 19 scores. • Enjoyed his best season in 2024 when he completed 59 percent of his attempts for 3,505 yards, with 26 touchdowns and 9 picks, in leading the Cyclones to the first 11-win season in program history. • Was a three-star prospect coming out of Wiregrass Ranch High in Wesley Chapel, Fla., in 2022, but vastly outperformed his No. 625 ranking among all prospects nationally and No. 36 listing among quarterbacks, per the Rivals Industry Ranking. • Listed by On3 as the No. 54 overall prospect and No. 9 quarterback in the transfer portal this year. KASE EVANS Fr. | 6-3 | 200 • Had been committed to Iowa State but joined Penn State's class in December. • Threw for 11,640 yards and 120 touch- downs in four seasons at Lexington (Texas) High. • Listed by Rivals as a three-star prospect and ranked as the No. 64 quarterback and No. 114 player in Texas. PEYTON FALZONE Fr. | 6-5 | 216 • Rejoined Penn State's 2026 class just ahead of signing day after decommitting from Auburn. • Completed 58.2 percent of his career passing attempts for 5,839 yards, with 53 touchdowns and 10 interceptions at Nazareth (Pa.) High. • Also rushed for 1,347 yards and 26 scores. • Received a three-star grade from Rivals and was listed as the No. 35 quarterback nationally and No. 9 prospect in Penn- sylvania. ALEX MANSKE R-Fr. | 6-3 | 210 • Transferred to Penn State on Jan. 4, shortly after Becht announced he was joining the Nittany Lions. • Spent part of the spring semester back home in Iowa while recovering from an unspecified health problem but returned to campus in April, though he did not take part in spring practice. • Served as Becht's backup last season at Iowa State and saw action in three games, completing 4 of 5 passing at- tempts for 28 yards while also rushing 4 times for 26 yards and a touchdown. • Was the top-ranked player in Iowa State's 2025 recruiting class, listed No. 55 overall by Rivals and No. 8 among quarterbacks. • Threw for 4,933 yards and rushed for 1,414 during his high school career at Algona (Iowa) High. Peyton Falzone was one of two December signees in Penn State's 2026 recruiting class and is vying for a backup spot this fall. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS