Will Matt Campbell lean on his Iowa State history with Becht in 2026 in Penn State?(Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)
With the Matt Campbell era dawning in State College, Penn State Football faces several questions.
Quite possibly the biggest question looming for the immediate future is, who will be Penn State’s 2026 Quarterback?
In the NIL and transfer portal era, the options are seemingly endless.
The Quarterback Question: Who Leads Penn State in 2026?
Campbell could go to the portal for a Quarterback. He could keep Ethan Grunkemeyer and roll with him. He could bring over an Iowa State Quarterback to Happy Valley.
The point is, there are plenty of options for Campbell to figure out who the Nittany Lions‘ signal caller will be.
Now, before we rank the options Penn State has at Quarterback, we have to look back at how Campbell has handled the position in Ames at Iowa State.
During his time at Iowa State, Campbell only had two primary Quarterbacks.
Kyle Kempt, Brock Purdy, and Rocco Becht, all of whom were from the ranks at Iowa State.
Campbell has yet to bring in a portal Quarterback.
Campbell vouched for his Quarterback development in an article from PennLive.
“I think to me,” Campbell said. “That’s been one of our great successes during our time at Iowa State, is always being able to find a Quarterback and develop a Quarterback to be really special.”
But where will Campbell find that Quarterback to develop?
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The Likely Reunion — Rocco Becht (Iowa State)
The most likely option for Campbell is that he brings in Rocco Becht as his Quarterback.
Becht would only have one year of elgibility, but he has plenty of experience.
Becht started for three years at Iowa State, and won tons of games. He is comfortable working hand in hand with Campbell. To go along with that, Campbell likely would want to see Becht’s development through in his final season of college football.
Despite Campbell being familiar with Becht, there are some downsides to this route.
Becht is coming off a labrum injury. That injury likely led to him having his worst season as the Cyclones’ starter.
So, simply put, Becht’s trajectory isn’t looking up right now. Maybe his best ball is behind him? That happens in college football sometimes, just look at Cade Klubnik this season. On top of that, Becht is only an option for 2026, there is no long-term future with Becht.
Bringing in Rocco Becht is the most likely option.
However, bringing in Becht is not the best option.
The “Home Run” Portal Play — Lagway or Raiola?
Talk about high risk, high reward, this would be high risk, high reward.
One option for Campbell is to look across the country and find a Quarterback.
We’ve seen guys like Dylan Raiola, DJ Lagway, and several others enter the portal already. There would be a ton of options. Maybe they get burnt with a DJ Uiagalelei. Or maybe they hit a home run with a Behran Morton. That is the risk you take in the Quarterback market.
Maybe Campbell could take a look at a DJ Lagway.
Penn State will have tons of money coming off the books this season, allowing them to be big spenders in the portal market, should they go that route.
Think Carson Beck to Miami. Or even a Fernando Mendoza to Indiana type of situation.
Penn State would have the money and pedigree for that if Campbell elects to try that option.
Matt Campbell bringing in an outside portal Quarterback is the least likely option.
But, it would be the best option for Penn State to try and make a run in 2026.
The Stable Choice — Sticking with Ethan Grunkemeyer
The elephant in the room is that Nittany Lion, Ethan Grunkemeyer, is only a redshirt freshman.
Grunkemeyer will be playing college football next year. Only question is, where?
He has certainly shown, he is plenty ready to be a power four Quarterback next season.
Will it be in a Penn State Football uniform, though?
For some reason, gut feeling says no.
But, should Campbell decide to attach his wagon to Grunkemeyer, he would give the Nittany Lions a lot of stability.
With Grunkemeyer calling the shots in 2026, Campbell probably isn’t going to make a huge run of any sort.
But, he would almost guarantee a bowl game and a very solid first season.
This is why Grunkemeyer is the safest option at Quarterback.
Keeping Ethan Grunkemeyer would be the most stable option.
However, keeping Etahn Grunkemeyer seems unlikely.
EXCLUSIVE: 3-Star LB Barry Fries ‘Heavily Considering’ Following Matt Campbell to Happy Valley
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Ian Purdy covers Penn State Football Recruiting for NittanyCentral.
Purdy was born and raised in central Ohio and served for four years writing for his high school's newsletter. Currently studying Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania, Ian has been a lifelong Nittany Lion fan.
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