Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
3 6 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 / / / / / / / 2 0 2 6 F O O T B A L L P R E V I E W / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / happened in meeting rooms and during film sessions. Gradually, as he progressed from taking mental reps to throwing the football in noncontact drills, the divi- dends materialized. "In the beginning, I wasn't able to do a lot on the field, and so I think build- ing that chemistry in the film room and being a leader on and off the field for me was a huge step in my leadership role," Becht said. "I thought I had a good spring to develop in that way, develop in the offense, learning more of the protec- tions, learning the run game. I think I did a really good job of that." Senior tight end Benjamin Brahmer has seen the evolution of Becht's lead- ership firsthand. Arriving at Iowa State ahead of the 2023 season, Brahmer im- mediately made a splash as one of Becht's trusted targets in the passing game. He dealt with an injury that shortened his 2024 campaign, but Brahmer returned last fall as a crucial component of the Cyclones' offensive attack. For the past six months, they've both been in a new environment with a largely different supporting cast, and Brahmer has been impressed with how Becht has unified the team. "It's been awesome to just see him lead the quarterback room and the whole of- fense," the veteran tight end said. "He's been doing a really good job with those young guys and just getting them to know the offense and also just getting them to be more confident." Eager To Begin A vision established at the onset of Campbell's tenure is now taking shape through a months-long process filled with expected hurdles and growing optimism. After building on-field chemistry pri- marily through seven-on-seven work this spring, Becht said he was encouraged by the progress he's made and is hope- ful about what comes next. He's "full go," having received his medical clear- ance entering summer workouts. The weeks leading into preseason practice in August are being spent building on the foundation that was laid during the winter and spring. And with that, the quarterback brought to Penn State to help realize Campbell's vision is eager to finally put the plan into action. "Anytime you're watching the quarter- back's growth process from the start of his career to the end of the career, you hope by the time he gets to this last portion of his career, he's almost the offensive co- ordinator on the football field," Campbell said. "He's an extension of the coaching Becht was known at Iowa State for bringing out the best in his teammates. "I don't know if I've seen a locker room that's been so willing to fight for the quarterback [like it did for] Rocco," coach Matt Campbell said. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS "Whenever we're in a drought, he always picks us up. He's always positive. When things are looking down, he always picks everyone's head up and just keeps moving forward. He has the poise in the moment to make plays." R U N N I N G B A C K C A R S O N H A N S E N O N B E C H T