Evidently, Matt Campbell watched the success that Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin, and eventually Pete Golding had with Division II transfer Trinidad Chambliss this season, and said ‘hold my beer.’ Rather than dip into the DII ranks for the latest addition to his quarterback room, Campbell and general manager Derek Hoodjer have turned to a Division III All-American, Connor Barry.
Barry was a zero-star recruit in the 2022 high school class when he signed with Appalachian State in the Sun Belt. He never saw the field in Boone, prompting him to transfer to DIII Christopher Newport, where he developed into a dominant force.
Across 22 starts at Christopher Newport, the Virginia native threw for 5,561 yards and 55 touchdowns and ran for 596 yards with 18 trips to the end zone. Barry has one year of eligibility remaining and is not likely to compete for the starting job in Happy Valley.
Penn State adds DIII All-American QB Connor Barry in Transfer Portal
Penn State’s new quarterbacks coach, Jake Waters, who came with Campbell from Iowa State after arriving there in 2021, led the pursuit of the 6-foot-1, left-handed quarterback. Though Waters doesn’t see Barry pushing Iowa State transfer Rocco Becht for first-team reps, according to Barry, the expectation is that he will compete to be QB2 in 2026.
"His message has been really direct," Barry said of Waters to Lions247. "They're looking for someone to come in and compete right away for that backup role, and I'm excited about that opportunity because I feel like I can bring value to the room and push the standard every day.”
Barry joins a QB room that includes Becht, fellow Iowa State transfer Alex Manske, and incoming true freshmen Peyton Falzone and Kase Evans. It’s a young room, and that could give Barry a leg up in the backup competition.
When Ole Miss brought in Chambliss, a DII national championship from Ferris State, few expected him to emerge as the team’s starter and overtake Austin Simmons. However, as Simmons struggled, Chambliss was undeniable and eventually led the Rebels to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
It would be wildly unfair to heap those expectations upon Barry, who will almost certainly be a veteran depth piece for Campbell and Waters. However, it is a bit of proof that some players can make the jump from the lower levels of college football and have immediate success in the Power 4. But DIII to the Big Ten is even more daunting than the jump that Chambliss made to the SEC.