Fall camp kicks off Wednesday, Aug. 5 for Penn State football. Head coach Matt Campbell has a few positions to sort out before Week 1 vs. Marshall, but there's a long-term project that he needs to create a solid foundation for.
The Nittany Lions' wide receiver room seems to get farther and farther away from championship caliber each year. If Campbell's ultimate goal is bringing greatness and a title back home to Happy Valley, that position has to get figured out as soon as possible.
During fall camp, the 13-player wide receiver room will have a lot to prove. Untapped talent is a huge storyline for the returning players while fresh talent can push that competition deeper and help bring the best out of the younger end of the group. The more experienced players, specifically transfers,
Here's an overlook of Penn State's wide receiver room and the competition that lies ahead before the regular season.
On the roster:
- Redshirt senior Logan Cunningham (5-foot-8, 183 pounds)
- Redshirt senior Chase Sowell (6-foot-3, 203 pounds)
- Redshirt junior Ethan Black (5-foot-9, 178 pounds)
- Junior Brett Eskildsen (6-foot-1, 198 pounds)
- Redshirt sophomore Peter Gonzalez (6-foot-2, 211 pounds)
- Redshirt sophomore Keith Jones Jr. (6-foot-4, 197 pounds)
- Sophomore Koby Howard (5-foot-11, 203 pounds)
- Redshirt freshman Karon Brookins (6-foot-4, 205 pounds)
- Redshirt freshman Zay Robinson (5-foot-11, 186 pounds)
- Redshirt freshman Lyrick Samuel (6-foot-4, 183 pounds)
- Freshman Amarion Jackson (6-foot-2, 192 pounds)
- Freshman Hank Lustig (5-foot-9, 170 pounds)
- Freshman Brett Whitver (6-foot-2, 195 pounds)
Iowa State transfers Brett Eskildsen and Chase Sowell start the Penn State WR room revamp
After a poor attempt at hitting the jackpot in the Transfer Portal for the 2025 season, Campbell might have better luck. Eskildsen and Sowell both transferred after 2025, following Campbell to Penn State from Ames, Iowa. In addition to those two wideouts, he also brought over their favorite passer in quarterback Rocco Becht. That on-field chemistry is already there between Becht and his former Cyclone receivers, which should translate into the 2026 season as all three sport the blue and white.
Eskildsen is a no-brainer starter, and he brings a versatile skill set to the room though he's primarily used in the slot. His speed and route running are pristine and he can adjust quickly to the ball. Campbell could transition Eskildsen into more of a Z role, especially with other guys in the room that can line up in the slot. The junior doesn't have strong blocking skill set, which can make those gritty third downs or even shedding off defensemen on the outside more difficult.
With Sowell on the roster, though Eskildsen won't be thrown on the outside consistently. The redshirt senior has the prototypical size of an X receiver and can win those one-on-one matchups easily. Sowell will anchor that outside, and with his personal goals clear for his final NCAA season, camp will show just how tough he'll be to defend this season.
Eskildsen's and Sowell's experience is significant for this Penn State wide receiver room. While the latter is certainly off to his next stop after the 2026 season, the junior could also decide to put his name into the 2027 NFL Draft rather than return for his senior year. Whether Campbell retains Eskildsen or not, having both former Cyclones on this roster is a good way to show the younger players what the standard is and the level of competition they should compete with day by day.
Matt Campbell has his third down guy in Koby Howard
Howard's numbers weren't extravagant by any means when he got his opportunity in 2025, but it was a start. The returning Nittany Lions has a shot at proving himself as an essential piece to this offense. He may not be the contested catch, wowing receiver that gets most of the spotlight, but the short, quick slot action matters.
He's expected to have a bigger, more noticeable role for Penn State this season. If Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser want him in the slot, expect Howard to be more of a third down guy to move the chains. He has a sturdy frame and can come up in moments where the Nittany Lions need progress while also taking some of the load off Eskildsen. It will be interesting to see if Howard's improvement is not only on display during fall camp, but also if it refines Eskildsen's game.
Freshman Amarion Jackson is already on Matt Campbell's radar
This is where the competition heats up. Behind Eskildsen, Sowell, and Howard, the next tier of talent needs to have a big camp. For the true freshman, Campbell believes he's ready for that test.
Campbell told reporters in the spring that Jackson is on track to play in the fall. He also has experience playing safety on defense as the Nittany Lions took time determining where his talents are best suited on the field.
Penn State needs depth at wideout. Other names in the room aren't necessarily causing a lot of buzz, but fall camp could potentially change that. For the time being, though, packing talent into that room is key. Eskildsen, Sowell, and Howard are practically locks in those roles and now it's determining those rotational pieces.
While Jackson is only a true freshman, fall camp is the time for him to prove that if he's out on the field, there isn't a dip in talent or production from one tier to the next.
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