Penn State football endured a massive recruiting fallout, as most teams have, but while that craze struck all position groups, it most adversely affected the quarterback room.
That doesn't mean head coach Matt Campbell arrives in his first year in charge in Happy Valley unequipped, though. The administration and athletic director Pat Kraft already gifted him their prized signal caller. That high-profile acquisition isn't the only one. Still, it presented an entirely new unit of quarterbacks for the future through 2026, with a walk-on marking the only returnee in the position group.
With the shake-up under center, let's glance at the outlook for the quarterback position next fall.
The marquee addition for Penn State so far, Rocco Becht, arrives in 2026 and is Happy Valley's QB with the most starting wins. Despite his career low of 16 touchdowns last season, his numbers remain consistent both as a passer and scrambler.
Becht formed an incredible bond with Campbell during their time together at Iowa State, and Penn State fans will soon share that admiration for the passer.
Entering his senior season and final year of eligibility, Becht gets a chance to put plays on his highlight-reel that can boost his NFL Draft stock against a particularly weak 2026 schedule for the Nittany Lions
The blue and white will soon see an unprecedented amount of confidence under center with Becht, boosted by almost his entire coaching staff from the Cyclones coming over. It's a one-year situation that works perfectly for both sides, kickstarting Penn State off on the right foot in its new era.
Joining the wave of Iowa State staff and players arriving with Campbell and Becht is quarterback Alex Manske. His connection to Campbell, along with his familiarity with the system and the college game, elevates him into a projected backup role for 2026 — the same responsibilities he held with the Cyclones.
Manske saw limited action in that role, but his commitment to Campbell shows he’s in good standing with his coach and likely positions him to start in 2027 if he continues to develop and can fend off stiff competition.
That competition likely grows next season when Campbell brings in his first recruiting class. For now, progressing during his sophomore year in Happy Valley is of the utmost importance to be ready when called upon.
One of the players aiming to challenge Manske is incoming four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone. Projected as the third-string QB in 2026, Falzone flipped his commitment from Penn State to Auburn, and then returned his pledge to the Nittany Lions on National Signing Day.
Falzone possesses the best physicals on the roster and passes the eye test as a bona fide big arm passer with real upside outside the pocket.
The commitment of Falzone marks a top 15 recruit in the program's history at the position, and he has all the potential to cash in on that hype.
Freshman year for Falzone will likely see him tested marginally and adapting to the college level mostly in practice environments. Yet, if coaching can mold him and his budding potential into a signal caller ready for the next level, not just thrown in, then he may be a star (or at least provide competition for the 2027 starting gig).
The only returning member of the Nittany Lions QB room from last season, Jack Lambert, has stories to tell about his experience at Penn State. However, most of that experience doesn't come on the field. The walk-on and unranked prospect likely serves as a depth piece still in his collegiate career.
Lambert has one of the highest team GPAs and was a two-sport high school star. He definitely has the physical and mental tools to be a college athlete. Previous coaching couldn't unlock that potential; instead, it was because of overlooking him or a lack of opportunities.
Yet for a QB room in 2026 with only four confirmed members, Lambert could see himself making a name, given the increased chances he may have.
That figure of only four players under center may seem light. Still, Iowa State and Penn State both carried only one more than that last seaso. That provides all the needed flexibility in a team that may soon see an influx of personnel.
The blue and white could opt for another walk-on or transfer option in the portal. Yet, given the corresponding moves by Falzone and Manske, it's likely that the starter for the position group over the next two years is already on the roster, meaning significant investment is unlikely and potentially unnecessary.
It reflects a different NIL strategy by Campbell compared to Virginia Tech head coach Franklin, who stacked his rosters with talent that sometimes didn't see the field.