Key Takeaways
- Rocco Becht, the former Iowa State quarterback, will join his coach Matt Campbell at Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions their 2026 quarterback.
- Becht will be a redshirt senior next year and is hoping to return to form after suffering an injury in the 2025 season.
- The move marks the end of the Drew Allar era for Penn State, as Allar is expected to enter the NFL draft after suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
- Redshirt freshman QB Alex Manske also committed to Penn State from Iowa State to serve as Becht’s understudy.
- Becht is ranked as the 16th-highest player in the transfer portal by ESPN and has amassed 9,274 yards on 714-of-1,177 passing (60.7% completion rate) over the course of his career.
Introduction to Rocco Becht’s Transfer
The current state of college football has made it easier for teams to find a coach and a quarterback. Recently, Rocco Becht, the former Iowa State quarterback, decided to follow his coach Matt Campbell to Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions their 2026 quarterback. This move is significant for Penn State, as they look to rebound from a disastrous 2025 season. Becht, who will be a redshirt senior next year, battled an injury for most of the 2025 season, which limited his stats. He underwent surgery on a partially torn labrum and is hoping to return to form for another season in college football next year.
Impact on Penn State
The move puts a button on the Drew Allar era for Penn State. Allar is expected to enter the NFL draft after he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in October against Northwestern. Becht and Campbell are hoping to right what was a disastrous 2025 for Penn State, though the season did end with a Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson. The addition of Becht and redshirt freshman QB Alex Manske, who also committed to Penn State from Iowa State, will undoubtedly bring new energy to the team. Manske will serve as Becht’s understudy, providing depth to the quarterback position.
Rocco Becht’s Career Stats
Over the course of his career, Becht has amassed 9,274 yards on 714-of-1,177 passing (60.7% completion rate), with 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. His stats were affected by the injury he suffered in the 2025 season, but Penn State will undoubtedly expect a return to form. Becht’s career stats are impressive, with notable performances in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2023, he completed 231-of-367 passes for 3,120 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. In 2024, he completed 271-of-456 passes for 3,505 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Transfer Portal Ranking
Becht is ranked as the 16th-highest player in the transfer portal by ESPN. Despite his injury, Becht’s talent and experience make him a valuable addition to the Penn State team. The ranking is a testament to Becht’s skills and potential, and Penn State will be hoping to see him return to form next season. With Becht on board, Penn State will be looking to improve their performance in the 2026 season and make a strong push in the college football championship.
Conclusion
The transfer of Rocco Becht to Penn State is a significant move for the team, and they will be hoping to see him lead the team to success in the 2026 season. With Becht’s experience and talent, combined with the addition of redshirt freshman QB Alex Manske, Penn State has a strong foundation for their quarterback position. The team will be looking to put the disastrous 2025 season behind them and make a fresh start with Becht at the helm. As the 2026 season approaches, Penn State fans will be eager to see Becht in action and (hopefully) lead the team to victory.