Matt Campbell already has his Luke Reynolds transfer portal replacement on deck

Luke Reynolds was the next in line. The 2024 five-star recruit was the obvious replacement for Tyler Warren and the heir to the Tight End U throne passed down from Mike Gesicki to Pat Freiermuth to Brenton Strange to Theo Johnson and then to Warren. Then, everything unraveled in Happy Valley. 

Of course, it started with James Franklin’s firing, but Reynolds’ sophomore season was a bit underwhelming, catching just 26 passes for 257 yards with no trips to the end zone, and ceding playing time to redshirt sophomore Andrew Rappleyea. So, with Rappleyea coming back for 2026 under the newly hired Matt Campbell, Reynolds is heading to the transfer portal, and is considered one of the top tight ends on open market. 

However, once the transfer portal officially opened on January 2, Campbell and general manager Derek Hoodjer, who came with him from Iowa State, wasted absolutely no time finding their Luke Reynolds replacement. And they didn’t have to look very hard. 

Former Iowa State Benjamin Brahmer predicted to commit to Penn State

Benjamin Brahmer is the top-ranked tight end in the transfer portal, according to Saturday Blitz. The 6-foot-7, 255-pound redshirt junior has one season of eligibility remaining, and it appears that he intends to spend it with Campbell. 

Brahmer caught 37 passes for 446 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, filling the void in the Iowa State offense left by Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, who left to become Day 2 draft picks of the Houston Texans. Brahmer is a big-bodied red zone threat who has a long-standing connection with Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht, who is also expected to commit to Penn State out of the portal for his final year of eligibility. 

Assuming Campbell and Hoodjer close the deal, Penn State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser will immediately have one of the best tight end duos in the country with Brahmer and Rappleyea. Both are useful blockers and have pass-catching versatility, which has proven to be a deadly combination in the Big Ten this season. 

Two of the league’s most effective offenses, Oregon and Ohio State did much of their damage out of 12 personnel (1 running back, 2 tight ends) this season because of the bind it puts defenses in. Stay small with five defensive backs and you’ll get run all over. Get big with an additional linebacker and you’re susceptible through the air. 

Mouser, who used plenty of 12 personnel with Brahmer and Gabe Burkle, another top tight end on the transfer market this offseason, will likely lean into that offensive identity with the Nittany Lions in 2026, so Penn State may have a shot of retaining the TEU title after all.