Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
1 4 A U G U S T 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 They Said It "Becht started 39 games at Iowa State and earned 26 wins. He led seven game-winning drives during that span. Last year, Becht threw for 2,584 yards and 16 touchdowns while add- ing 116 yards and 8 TDs rushing. With noncon- ference games against Marshall, Temple and Buffalo, plus early Big Ten matchups against Wisconsin and Northwestern, Penn State has a good chance to be undefeated heading into its Oct. 10 home showdown against USC. If the Nittany Lions can make a surprise CFP run in Campbell's first season, Becht's Heisman hopes could skyrocket." — Heather Dinich, ESPN.com college football reporter, citing redshirt senior quarterback Rocco Becht as Penn State's most award-worthy player in 2026 "Confidence is high in the experience and talent the running back and offensive line rooms bring to the table, sources told On3 this spring. Penn State added Ohio State's James Peoples and Iowa State's Carson Hansen out of the portal, which should make a formidable running back duo in the Big Ten. Plus, Quinton Martin Jr. has gained 15 pounds this offsea- son. Peoples was highly thought of during his two seasons at Ohio State. If he can build off last year's 344 yards, he could turn into the running back Penn State is looking to rely on." — Pete Nakos, On3 college football analyst, on the biggest question facing Penn State this fall "I grew up watching the NFL more than col- lege, but I always knew their guys were pro- ducing and becoming great tight ends in the NFL. I've watched a lot of Pat Freiermuth. Mike Gesicki actually grew up about three towns away from me. Now, Tyler Warren is the next elite tight end to come out of Penn State and find success in the NFL. Any school can say they're Tight End U, but the numbers don't lie with Penn State." — Three-star New Jersey tight end prospect Sean Currie on his decision to commit to Penn State in May "It'll be interesting to see how Campbell is viewed by our voters going forward. For years, he received plenty of credit for his ability to punch up and play the underdog role at Iowa State. Now he's at the helm of a Penn State program that wants to compete for Big Ten and national titles. An 11-3 record at Iowa State was viewed as an incredible achieve- ment. At Penn State, it's just another season." — Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports college football writer, on Matt Campbell after his outlet ranked the Nittany Lions' head coach 16th on its list of the top head coaches in the Power Four conferences "He was the best folkstyle wrestler this year, so I tip my hat to him. And he's one of the best freestyle wrestlers I've ever wrestled in my life, too. He's just a great wrestler, and it always feels better when you beat a great wrestler like him." — Rising Penn State sophomore Marcus Blaze, on his best-of-three victory over 2026 133-pound national champion Jax Forrest in June at the Final X tourna- ment, which earned him a spot on the U.S. Senior World Team at 61 kilograms PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS "Of all the Iowa State players headed to Penn State, safety MARCUS NEAL JR. impressed me the most on film. He was an underrated star for the Cy- clones. … What really jumped out was his tackling. Neal isn't just a coverage safety; he's physical downhill and de- pendable in open space. He consistently limited gains that could have become explosive plays. He has All-American potential in the right system. If Penn State allows him to play aggressively, he could become one of the Big Ten's best defensive backs." — Joel Haas, StateCollege.com writer, on his impressions of Neal after watching every game of Iowa State's 2025 season