Penn State football is set soon for a new era ushered in by the high-profile hiring of new head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State.
Penn State reportedly hires Matt Campbell to new multi-year deal that's hard to believe
It isn't just the new boss; throughout the Nittany Lions roster, there are a plethora of starters graduating. With a new head coach, returning players may also start exiting once the Transfer Portal opens. Penn State will truly have a fresh start in 2026.
One of those openings lies under center. Starting quarterback Drew Allar broke his ankle against Northwestern and was ruled out indefinitely, not returning to the field in 2025. Backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer stepped into the role to for half of the 2025 season, but even with his development, his spot isn't certain.
Campbell and Penn State soon have to find a long-term quarterback to captain the offense. It already seems that there are a number of potential passers looking to fit the bill, both already on the roster and not.
That said, favorites already emerged for the role, but the offseason promises to be tough as the new coach tests his roster thoroughly to see who best fits his system.
Let's look at the potential quarterbacks vying for the position in Campbell's first season as head coach.
2026 projected QB depth chart with signings
Right now, Grunkemeyer stands as the clear favorite to be the starter in 2026, playing the majority of snaps in Allar's absence.
The projected starter had a rough outing in his first opportunities, which initially worried fans, as he faced the top defenses of Ohio State and Iowa. In his first three starts, he completed only 64.16 percent of his passes, threw an interception each game, and got sacked seven times.
Yet, against Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers, he upped the completion rate to 76.06 percent, avoided turnovers, and took only four sacks.
Watching Grunkemeyer's upcoming Pinstripe Bowl performance will be significant for the start of the 2026 season. It's the redshirt freshman's chance to impress Campbell as the new head coach will more than likely attend and watch.
The former four-star recruit showed the ability to persevere through adversity, lead the team when needed, and make the necessary improvements. The sky is his only limit if he has the right coaching stuff and support to get him there. If Campbell feels like he can, Grunkemeyer's home in Happy Valley might be more secure than at first thought.
When Penn State entered the season with Allar as QB1, there was little to show who was behind him in the depth chart.
Smolik could've had the upper hand over Grunkemeyer. He had strong offseason training and earned the most recognition from coaches in the position group.
But in 2025, he appeared only slightly and was eventually sidelined with a long-term injury. The former three-star has an opportunity to again fight for the starting job under Campbell. Flashes of promise aren't enough against stiff competition, especially when he's rehabbing.
Smolik has to make the most of his eligibility as his time dwindles. However, if Grunkemeyer stays, he will likely hop in the Transfer Portal instead of fight in a crowded Penn State QB room.
The only QB from last year's recruiting class, Kritza, is a player who has lots of potential under center, but just as many questions loom.
He stands with an incredible frame, making him the best quarterback physically on the roster as of now, with dual-threat ability.
Much of Kritza's talent is still raw, and smoothing out the edges will be necessary for him to compete at the next level. He looks like someone with all the tools to be a star passer, but the development piece isn't there yet.
Campbell has experience with three-star quarterbacks, though, developing San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy into an NFL star. That might be Kritza's best shot at not diving into the Transfer Portal if he proves his potential is there and doesn't mind being in the background for at least another season.
One of two signees in the 2026 recruiting class, Falzone is the only offensive player among the incomers, yet it's a marquee addition in this new era.
The four-star prospect flipped from Auburn before Campbell was named head coach, showing his dedication to the program and his potential to be in line for succession to the starting role.
The 2026 season will likely not see Falzone blossom into a starter, but the young QB can climb his way up the rankings, especially if guys hit the Transfer Portal in January. With development and a great staff, Falzone can turn into a solid backup option for Campbell as he determined which quarterback deserves the starting role.
The last returning passer for Penn State, the odds of Lambert becoming the starter in Happy Valley are a long shot to say the least.
Lambert proved to be an incredibly versatile, intelligent, and gifted player in high school. Still, in the crowded Happy Valley locker rooms, his chances of getting on the field are minimal. He has no live rep experience. His chances of hitting the Transfer Portal are much higher for the redshirt sophomore.
Possible incoming transfers ranked
The Nittany Lions already reported that they will contribute significant NIL investments in the future ($30 million). While that's great, it doesn't provide immediate answers.
The Penn State roster is full of players from Franklin's era. It provides depth, but it also clouds the lines of who starts amid a coaching change. Campbell will overhaul his recruitment approach and test his players. The NIL investments will be needed to address gaps in the roster.
As for the QB room, Campbell won't be afraid to find the right guy, whether he's already on the roster, from Iowa State, or even a former Nittany Lion.
For Penn State, there's one shot for the stars solution under center, and it also continues with a reunion.
Campbell developed great passers and strong relationships with QBs, starting with Purdy and continuing with Becht.
This could be the most significant move ever in Penn State's use of the Transfer Portal, rivaling the linebacker Amare Campbell and wide receiver Trebor Pena transfers in 2025, which involved substantial financial commitments.
Becht has only one year of eligibility left; he'll want to raise his stock among NFL scouts, and the big market at Penn State presents a perfect opportunity to do so while continuing his development under Campbell. and a reunion with Campbell could present the perfect opportunity to do so.
For the blue and white, it gives them a chance to run it back with a prestigious squad as Becht's metrics are comparable to Allar's.
A reunion for Penn State and Pribula isn't out of the picture and may even be in the cards. Pribula only has one season of eligibility remaining. His time in Happy Valley equipped him with an unprecedented level of knowledge about the current locker room compared to any other transfer option.
His play started excellently in 2025, but plateaued amid a midseason injury, leaving many question marks about how he fares in the brutal SEC landscape. What the 2025 season proved, though, is that Pribula always has a home with the Nittany Lions. The fanbase itself dearly missed the former backup QB with Allar's failure to meet expectations.
Pribula may return home to the Commonwealth in an offense where he already found success. He received a massive NIL deal to leave Penn State, and paying top bucks to someone you allowed to leave doesn't seem likely from athletic director Pat Kraft, especially as his recent play raises doubts about the move.
This move would likely appease fans and players, but it requires both parties to give in.
Craig is Harvard's all-time leading passer and makes incredibly smart, Ivy League plays. It would be a minor transfer investment, but it brings a bona fide leader to a young roster looking to find its way. With all the young QBs on the roster, bringing in a veteran to mentor them is smart before his NFL departure.
He has only one season of eligibility, allowing him to come in, raise his draft stock before leaving, and steady the ship before passing the reins to a higher ceiling passer. It is a smart move with criticism from fans being the lone risk.