Ranking the 3 biggest needs Matt Campbell still needs to address in the 2027 recruiting class

It’s typically the case for any head coach in the move in the modern era, but considering Matt Campbell got hired after the early signing period had already begun this offseason, he had no choice but to build his roster through the Transfer Portal. With 38 incoming transfers, 24 of them from Iowa State, Penn State suddenly has a veteran-heavy roster, and some big questions on the recruiting trail. 

Campbell constantly outperformed his circumstances in Ames. He had opportunities to leave sooner, including NFL interest, but opted to stay at one of the most under-resourced programs in the Big 12 and consistently compete for conference titles. Now, he has all the resources, but that also changes the expectations, especially on the recruiting trail. 

Not only is Campbell expected to make the College Football Playoff and eventually win a national title, but he’s also expected to land blue-chip talent and win recruiting battles over the likes of Ohio State and Notre Dame. That’s something he’s never done, and the only reason for doubt about his tenure. 

That makes the 2027 recruiting class massive for Campbell. He has major needs to fill in his program, certainly, but he also just needs to prove he can recruit at an elite level. So far, with 15 commits, his class ranks eighth-best in the nation, but that’s with just four composite four-stars, no five stars, and plenty of holes left to fill. 

1. Quarterback

Peter Bourque or Will Wood? That’s really the question for Penn State right now. Bourque, the No. 7 QB in the class and top-ranked player in Massachusetts, is set to announce his commitment on Thursday, May 14, and is deciding between Georgia, Virginia Tech, and Penn State. While Bourque is held in higher regard by the scouting industry, Wood, the 29th-ranked QB in the class and third-ranked player in Massachusetts, appears to be Campbell’s top priority. 

Campbell and his staff have a strong track record for developing the position, so if they value Wood as highly or even more highly than Bourque, there’s no reason this early in the new regime’s tenure to question it. Regardless of who that quarterback ultimately is, Penn State desperately needs to add talent at the position. 

Becht is the most experienced starter in the country and is fully healthy after dealing with dueling shoulder injuries last season. Behind him, however, are Alex Manske, a fellow Iowa State transfer who missed all of spring rehabbing, DIII transfer Connor Barry, 2026 four-star Peyton Falzone, and 2026 three-star Kase Evans. Manske appears to be the QB of the future, but that’s a thin group, and Falzone, the highest-ranked player in it, wasn’t a Campbell recruit.  

2. Interior Defensive Line

It didn’t seem that Campbell and general manager Derek Hoodjer’s goal was to completely churn the roster this offseason. The one position that turned over maybe more than any other, though, was interior defensive line, and that was for a reason. New defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe, who came over from UCLA, prefers much bigger and heavier defensive linemen than the undersized, fast guys like Zane Durant, who thrived under Deion Barnes in Happy Valley. 

To deliver that, for defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, who came from USC, Campbell, and Hoodjer went into the portal. They came out of it with 6-foot-2, 337-pound Siale Taupaki and 6-foot-5, 329-pound Keanu Williams from UCLA, 6-foot-2, 337-pound Dallas Vakalahi from Utah, and 6-foot-2, 319-pound Armstrong Nnodim from Oklahoma State. 

Vakalahi and Nnodim have eligibility remaining beyond 2026, but Taupaki and Williams are both entering their final season. So, Campbell needs to stock the program with the type of defensive linemen Malloe values, and it’s no coincidence that one of his four-star recruits already committed is 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle Stanley Montgomery. That’s a good start, but the Nittany Lions still need more beef in the trenches. 

3. Wide Receiver

Yes, wide receiver is still a need for Penn State. It’s no longer a pressing need in the short term because, along with two quality tight ends to join Andrew Rappleyea, Campbell brought Becht’s top two wide receivers from Iowa State, Brett Ekildsen and Chase Sowell. However, Sowell is in his final season of eligibility, so while Ekildsen could return for 2027 and Koby Howard is showing plenty of promise, Campbell still has to add more weapons for his offense. 

Eskildsen and Sowell weren’t the only wide receiver transfers. Zay Robinson and Karon Brookins also came from Iowa State, and Keith Jones Jr. came from Grambling, but none of those players project as surefire starters at any point in their Penn State careers. 

Campbell’s staffs have developed the wide receiver position well, but that was primarily with Noah Pauley, who left for the Green Bay Packers this offseason. Rather than do more with less, Campbell needs to land a few blue-chips at the position, and 2027 four-star Landon Blum is a good start.

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