Penn State running back Quinton Martin could be a foundational piece of the Nittany Lions' future, after a strong performance in the Pinstripe Bowl. (Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
Penn State Football capped off its 2025 season with a 22-10 win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.
While the Nittany Lions may not have reached the lofty expectations from the beginning of the season, interim coach Terry Smith did rally the team to four straight wins to close out the 2025 campaign and seal a fifth consecutive winning season.
Pinstripe Statement: Terry Smith Rallies the Lions for Clemson Win
Inside a frigid Yankee Stadium, Penn State rode a strong fourth quarter to a 22-10 victory that closed the book on one season, with the future of the program rapidly approaching with the transfer portal opening.
Now, with the Matt Campbell era officially beginning for Penn State, the 13th contest provided the Nittany Lions’ new coach with something to consider when prioritizing retention from the Nittany Lions roster for next season.
Here are five standout players from the Pinstripe Bowl that have shown they merit prioritizing before the transfer portal opens January 2nd.
Tight End U: Why Andrew Rappleyea is Matt Campbell’s Next Star
While former five-star tight end Luke Reynolds has gotten plenty of attention because of his elite recruiting ranking coming into Penn State, Andrew Rappleyea has made the case to be tight end one for the Nittany Lions in 2026.
After getting up to speed returning from an injury that cost him the 2024 season, Rappleyea has shown his prowess as a blocker and pass catcher in the second half of the season and once again did the same in the Pinstripe Bowl.
After a career high 75 yard performance against Rutgers, Rappleyea added 18 yards and a touchdown to his season total of 165 yards in the Pinstripe Bowl (and had a 30-yard catch called back for an illegal shift).
The QB Dilemma: Ethan Grunkemeyer’s Career Day
After stepping in for an injured Drew Allar, redshirt freshman Grunkemeyer has grown a ton as a passer under Terry Smith through the last seven games of the season.
In the Pinstripe Bowl, Grunkemeyer threw for a career high 262 yards and two touchdowns and importantly did not turn the ball over.
Grunkemeyer has been efficient with the football over the second half of the season.
His 69.2 percent completion percentage over his career (7 starts) would easily be a Penn State career record if it continued. Heading into next season, Campbell might want to go with the familiar Rocco Becht, however Grunkemeyer’s play has shown he has the potential to be a high level starter for Penn State with three years of eligibility remaining.
The Deep Threat: Noah Pauley’s Plan for Koby Howard
In the Pinstripe Bowl, Koby Howard continued to do what he’s done the second half of the season for Penn State; catch long passes.
Howard caught only two passes for the Nittany Lions Saturday, but each went for at least 15 yards. Howard is averaging 19.8 yards per catch in 2025 and has proven to be a weapon in the intermediate and deep passing game.
Campbell should prioritize keeping Howard and pairing him with wide receivers coach Noah Pauley to get the talented freshman way more involved in the offense in 2026.
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Quinton Martin Jr.: Penn State’s New “RB1” Emerges in the Bronx
Without standouts Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, it was a bit of a wildcard what Penn State was going to get in the Pinstripe Bowl at running back. Quinton Martin Jr. was a surprise standout, as he didn’t start, but still led the Nittany Lions with 101 rushing yards on a team-high 20 carries.
Martin showed vision running downfield, including on a game-long 21 yard rush. With Penn State looking for a starting running back for 2026, Martin’s play in the Pinstripe Bowl should give Campbell plenty to think about before the transfer portal window opens.
The Defensive Anchor: Retaining Amare Campbell
Amare Campbell’s 2025 highlight tape was already impressive before the Pinstripe Bowl. The transfer linebacker led the Nittany Lions with 96 tackles in the regular season and followed that up again leading the Nittany Lions with seven tackles Saturday.
Especially after Tony Rojas went down with an injury, Campbell at the linebacker position was perhaps the most important player for the Penn State defense this season.
Campbell should be extremely high on Matt Campbell’s priority list for retaining for 2026.
The Jan 2 Deadline: Can Matt Campbell, Penn State Win the Retention Battle?
With the transfer portal opening next week, we will not have to wait long to find out the decisions many players on the roster will make.
While Campbell cannot prioritize every player on the Penn State roster, there are quite a few who could be key pieces in 2026 and beyond if they decide to stay.
5 Elite Transfer Targets Matt Campbell Must Land for Penn State in 2026
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- 5 Penn State Pinstripe Bowl Standouts Matt Campbell Must Prioritize Retaining for 2026 - December 28, 2025
- 5 Elite Transfer Targets Matt Campbell Must Land for Penn State in 2026 - December 24, 2025
- Rocco Becht Enters Transfer Portal, Will he Follow Campbell to Penn State? - December 20, 2025
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