After a tumultuous 2025 for Penn State football that saw James Franklin fired, an unknown future at head coach, and a number of Nittany Lions departing via the Transfer Portal or for the 2026 NFL Draft, Matt Campbell helped turn that uncertainty around quickly.
Following the spring season for college programs across the country, ESPN ranked each Power Four football team per conference. While Penn State didn't make the overall top 10, which featured four Big Ten teams (Indiana, Oregon, USC, and Ohio State), it was a top five offseason in the conference, specifically.
Eli Lederman, Max Olsen, and Adam Rittenberg ranked the Nittany Lions No. 5 in the Big Ten for their offseason, noting their key additions via the portal, key departures that were all due to expired eligibility and draft entry, and Class of 2026 recruits to anticipate.
In addition to quarterback Rocco Becht, running back Carson Hansen, and safety Marcus Neal Jr., Penn State added Campbell and a number of new staff members to help get the program over the playoff hump it's fallen victim to over the years. ESPN highlighted offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, and offensive line coach Ryan Clanton as key coaches Campbell added as well as retaining associate head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith.
Turning recruitment around was another major plus to Campbell's offseason, redeeming a vacant Class of 2027 while hitting the Transfer Portal hard simultaneously. The Nittany Lions, as of the beginning of May, have the No. 6 overall recruitment class with 14 commits, four of which are four-star prospects.
Building a foundation was critical the second Campbell got the job, and that's exactly what he did. The results and the expectations to eventually get over the hump come with time, but already having confidence that Penn State can do so just a few months into his first season is a huge win for Campbell and the Nittany Lions.
ESPN's full Big Ten offseason rankings:
1. Indiana Hoosiers
2. Oregon Ducks
3. USC Trojans
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
5. Penn State Nittany Lions
6. Michigan Wolverines
7. Iowa Hawkeyes
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers
10. Illinois Fighting Illini
11. UCLA Bruins
12. Washington Huskies
13. Northwestern Wildcats
14. Wisconsin Badgers
15. Maryland Terrapins
16. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
17. Purdue Boilermakers
18. Michigan State Spartans
Add us as a preferred source on Google