Matt Campbell is still new to Happy Valley, and he’s letting Terry Smith, who served as the program’s interim head coach for the final six games of the regular season, run the show for the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson on Saturday. So, Campbell’s focus is on building Penn State’s roster for his first season on the sidelines at Beaver Stadium. That starts with the transfer portal window from January 2 to 16, and a difficult decision in his quarterback room.
Campbell’s three-year starting quarterback from Iowa State, Rocco Becht, intends to enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining. Though much of the Cyclones’ coaching staff is heading to Penn State with Campbell, it’s not a guarantee that Becht will join them.
Becht will have other suitors in the portal, and Penn State has other options, namely rising redshirt sophomore Ethan Grunkemeyer. The former four-star started the final six games of the season after Drew Allar’s season-ending injury and is set to start the Pinstripe Bowl.
The prevailing assumption is that Campbell will be forced to choose between Becht and Grunkemeyer. The experienced starter who is familiar with offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser’s system or the talented young QB who could develop into a future star. However, a strong first (and second) impression could set up the Nittany Lions to have the best of both worlds.
Ethan Grunkemeyer was an Iowa State target in the 2024 class
“I know the culture he’s built at Iowa State, and I really like that,” Grunkemeyer told StateCollege.com after his introductory meeting with Campbell. “I think it’ll carry over here really well. So, just a really good impression. I like how he handles the program, and I like what he’s about as a coach and as a person.”
Grunkemeyer hasn’t made a decision regarding his future yet, but when he was a recruit he took an official visit to Iowa State and was a top target of Campbell’s early in the process. That relationship, which the two cultivated when Grunkemeyer was rising up the 2024 recruiting rankings, may finally pay off for Campbell.
Matt Campbell still has an outside chance to keep Ethan Grunkemeyer if Rocco Becht transfers to Penn State
Considering that he already has starting experience and acquitted himself well across six games, including matchups with Indiana and Ohio State, it’s likely that Grunkemeyer would hit the transfer portal if Campbell brings Becht to Happy Valley. Additionally, if Campbell gives Grunkemeyer a chance to win a QB battle with Becht, the veteran would almost certainly head elsewhere.
He may be able to thread the needle, though, adding Becht for 2026, and keeping Grunkemeyer for 2027 and ‘28. That would, obviously, be the best-case scenario for the Nittany Lions, and a great way to start the Campbell era in Happy Valley.