Ben Brahmer is currently the #1 ranked TE in the portal—a vital target as Ty Howle and James Franklin move to Virginia Tech. (Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images)
Penn State Football head coach Matt Campbell will have his work cut out for him in his first transfer portal window as the Nittany Lions‘ head coach.
In addition to a large class of players running out of eligibility or declaring for the NFL and a small 2026 recruiting class (at least at the moment), Campbell must re-recruit Penn State’s roster to retain players that he wants for 2026 and keep players out of the transfer portal.
Both of these factors could leave Penn State and Campbell needing a large transfer portal haul to fill a roster for the Lions heading into 2026.
Raiders of the Lost Ames: The Iowa State to Penn State Pipeline
Luckily for the Nittany Lions, Campbell has a preexisting relationship with plenty of former Iowa State Cyclones who have opted to enter the transfer portal since Campbell announced his decision to leave for Penn State.
Here are the top five former Iowa State players who have entered the transfer portal that Matt Campbell should prioritize bringing to Happy Valley.
Marcus Neal Jr.: The Hard-Hitting Answer at Safety
Safety Marcus Neal Jr. was a star for the Iowa State Cyclones in 2025, leading the Cyclones in tackles this season.
Neal Jr. recorded 77 tackles, two interceptions, a sack, and a forced fumble on the season.
Neal has played in every game for the Cyclones over his two seasons on campus and has two more years of eligibility. He could be a long-term centerpiece of new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn‘s secondary in Happy Valley.
Ben Brahmer: Protecting the Tight End Room from Blacksburg
While Penn State has a stacked tight end room at the moment, former tight ends coach Ty Howle and James Franklin will be looking to poach talent from the room to take with them to Blacksburg.
If Campbell is able to retain at least one of Luke Reynolds or Andrew Rappleyea, Ben Brahmer is an ideal transfer portal target to pair with them.
Brahmer is the top ranked tight end in the transfer portal and caught 37 passes for 446 yards and six touchdowns in 2025.
QB Rocco Becht: The 9,000-Yard Solution for 2026
Penn State could do well with Ethan Grunkemeyer, if the Nittany Lions chose to hand the keys to the redshirt freshman who finished the season leading the Nittany Lions to four straight wins, including a Pinstripe Bowl win.
However, I think Campbell will opt to put his eggs in the Becht basket, who has thrown for over 9,000 yards in three years starting for Matt Campbell at Iowa State.
While Becht only has one season of eligibility remaining, the continuity with Becht and Campbell, Waters, and Mouser is too enticing to ignore with the manageable schedule that Penn State faces in 2026.
Chase Sowell & Noah Pauley: The Nittany Lions’ “Deep Threat” Connection
Wide receiver Chase Sowell only spent one season with Campbell in Ames after transferring from East Carolina.
However, Sowell thrived under wide receivers coach Noah Pauley, catching 32 passes for 500 yards and two touchdowns in 2025.
Sowell could follow Pauley to Penn State and give the Nittany Lions a deep threat option for 2026 and give the Nittany Lions an experienced veteran in the room that already knows the offense.
Buy The Newest Penn State Gear From Fanatics | Shop Penn State Merchandise on Amazon
CB Jontez Williams: Replacing Harris and Washington in the Secondary
Penn State has lost two cornerbacks to the transfer portal since the end of the regular season in AJ Harris and Elliot Washington.
Former Iowa State Cyclone Jontez Williams would bring in a veteran talent at the position to give the Nittany Lions a bonafide starter heading into 2026. Williams accumulated 67 tackles, five interceptions, and 3.5 tackles for a loss over 32 career games for the Cyclones.
There are already 31 total players from the 2025 Iowa State roster that are entering the transfer portal when it opens on January 2nd. There will be no shortage of former Cyclones for Matt Campbell to consider when building his roster for 2026.
BREAKING: Former Iowa State Signee Pete Eglitis Flips to Matt Campbell, Penn State
Loved this story? Get all our Penn State football coverage and insider updates first. Join our FREE newsletter — your front-row seat to the Lions.
A note to our readers; If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission
- Raiding Ames: 5 Iowa State Stars Matt Campbell Should Target for Penn State in the Transfer Portal - December 29, 2025
- Penn State Ultimate Transfer Portal Tracker: Departures, Returns, and New Additions - December 29, 2025
- 5 Penn State Pinstripe Bowl Standouts Matt Campbell Must Prioritize Retaining for 2026 - December 28, 2025
Author
About the Author
