No program in the country had more transfer portal departures this offseason than Iowa State. After Matt Campbell finally decided that it was time to flee Ames, his Cyclones have largely decided to do the same. The expectation is that more than a few are going to follow Campbell and general manager Derek Hoodjer to Happy Valley, and on Saturday, tight end Benjamin Brahmer became the first.
The 6-foot-7, 255-pound redshirt junior is the No. 1-ranked tight end according to Saturday Blitz. He caught 37 passes for 446 and six touchdowns in 2025, all career highs. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
BREAKING: Iowa State transfer TE Benjamin Brahmer has Committed to Penn State, he tells @On3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 3, 2026
Through 3 seasons with the Cyclones he totaled 75 receptions for 977 yards and 9 TDs
One of the Top TEs in the portalhttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/bhmWLw7hCf
Former Iowa State tight end Benjamin Brahmer commits to Penn State
Brahmer was quickly predicted commit to Penn State once the transfer portal officially opened on Friday. Likely anticipating his arrival, former five-star Luke Reynolds entered the transfer portal after two seasons with the Nittany Lions. Rising redshirt junior Andrew Rappleyea is staying put with the Nittany Lions.
Rappleyea emerged as a reliable target for now former Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, who entered his name into the transfer portal after starting the team's final seven games of the season. Rappleyea caught 20 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns including one in the Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson.
With Brahmer and Rappleyea, new Penn State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, who was Campbell’s longtime play-caller in Ames, will have one of the best tight end duos in the country at his disposal for Year 1 in Happy Valley. However, the question still remains, who will be throwing them the ball?
Three-year Iowa State starting QB Rocco Becht, like Brahmer, has been predicted to commit to the Nittany Lions since announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal. He is reportedly set to visit Happy Valley, and according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who expected Becht to commit to the Nittany Lions while in Happy Valley.
With many former Cyclones expected to join Campbell at Penn State for the 2026 season, the Nittany Lions could be on the cusp of a loaded transfer portal class heading into Campbell's first year at the helm. Penn State needs that infusion of talent with so many seniors graduating off a 2025 roster that was constructed with competing for a national championship top of mind.
Now that Brahmer has committed, Becht's commitment likely won't be far behind, and other Cyclones could quickly follow.