Matt Campbell arrived at Penn State with a clear quarterback plan for the 2026 season. Rocco Becht, the most experienced QB in the country, followed him from Iowa State for his final year of eligibility to take over the starting role and thrust the Nittany Lions into Big Ten contention.
However, beyond next season, there’s a significant question mark behind center. Ethan Grunkemeyer joined James Franklin at Virginia Tech this offseason, while Bekkem Kritza and Jaxon Smolik both found new homes through the Transfer Portal.
The offseason turnover left Penn State with 2025 three-star Alex Manske, another Iowa State transfer, and two 2026 recruits, Peyton Falzone and Kase Evans, and DIII transfer Connor Barry. With Campbell’s history of developing under-recruited quarterbacks, like Brock Purdy and Becht, into high-level producers, the answer could be on the roster. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and that means Campbell can’t really afford to go through the 2027 recruiting cycle without landing an elite QB prospect.
The good news is that Penn State’s on the radar for two of the best in the class, former Michigan commit Peter Bourque, and Will Mencl, the fastest rising prospect in the class. The bad news is that the Nittany Lions don’t appear to be the favorite for either player.
Peter Bourque and Will Mencl are top priorities for Matt Campbell’s staff
Campbell and his general manager, Derek Hoodjer, have yet to land a commitment in the 2027 class. That’s a simmering problem in its own right, but at the quarterback position, where seven of the top 11 players in the class according to 247Sports Composite rankings have already committed, it’s a more urgent issue.
Bourque is the No. 5 QB in the class, a Massachusetts native who was heavily recruited by James Franklin’s staff and committed to Michigan under Sherrone Moore but has since backed off from that commitment amid the transition to Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
According to a recent report from On3’s Steve Wiltfong, “He said he’s been talking a ton with Penn State, he’s been talking a ton with Georgia, and Virginia Tech’s certainly very prominent.” Wiltfong also mentioned North Carolina, Michigan State, Washington, and Florida in what appears to be a wide-open race that includes the possibility of a return to Michigan’s class.
If that report means Penn State and Georgia are the favorites, it’s hard to blame Penn State fans for viewing that with serious concern after Kirby Smart came into Pennsylvania to pluck out the state’s No. 1 overall recruit, five-star running back Kemon Spell.
It’ll be an uphill climb to best Oregon for Rivals’ new QB1
Then, there’s Mencl, who shot up to QB1 and five-star status in Rivals' latest recruiting rankings update, and is No. 12 at the position by 247Sports Composite rankings. Though Penn State offered him in January, well before his recent rise, it is widely understood that Oregon is the favorite for the Chandler, Arizona, native.
Outside of Bourque and Mencl, who could very realistically wind up at Michigan and Oregon, respectively, Penn State does not have an obvious path to a top-tier QB in the 2027 class. If Campbell strikes out, he’ll be forced to develop a young player or pay a premium for a veteran QB in the Transfer Portal next offseason.
Development is risky, and portalling is an expensive path to addressing the most important position on the field. Both options would affirm the worst fears about Campbell’s lack of high-level recruiting experience. Those fears get harder to push down each day Penn State goes without a 2027 commit.