With head coach Matt Campbell entering year one with Penn State football, expectations aren't nearly as high as they were in 2025 with now Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin and his group of returning Nittany Lions.
Still, though, with an easier Big Ten slate than others in the conference, there still is a chance that Campbell can get Penn State into the College Football Playoff — or, at the very least, finish with a winning record and a solid foundation for the future.
The schedule isn't the only thing Campbell has in his favor. He also has a roster full of familiar faces from Iowa State, players and staff alike, including the most experienced quarterback in the NCAA: Rocco Becht.
ESPN went through its way-too-early Top 25 and allotted award candidates per team. For the Nittany Lions, Becht was their player.
ESPN names Rocco Becht as a Heisman Trophy candidate for 2026 season
Alongside seven other quarterbacks, Becht was named a potential Heisman Trophy candidate. Heather Dinish of ESPN wrote:
The 6-foot-1 redshirt senior followed coach Matt Campbell to Penn State, which gives the Nittany Lions a proven winner to lead the offense. Becht started 39 games at Iowa State and earned 26 wins. He led seven game-winning drives during that span. Last year, Becht threw for 2,584 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 116 yards and eight TDs rushing. With nonconference games against Marshall, Temple and Buffalo, plus early Big Ten matchups against Wisconsin and Northwestern, Penn State has a good chance to be undefeated heading into its Oct. 10 home showdown against USC. If the Nittany Lions can make a surprise CFP run in Campbell's first season, Becht's Heisman hopes could skyrocket.
Just as the Nittany Lions' schedule is helping Campbell make a name for himself in Happy Valley, it's also helping Becht end his collegiate career on a high note.
If he performs well in Penn State's biggest games of the season, USC, Michigan, and Washington, Becht is one step closer to being a serious Heisman Trophy contender. Of course, that means the blue and white would have to make it into the CFP, but wins versus those teams (assuming the other games fall in their favor as well) are all signs pointing towards a championship opportunity.
Other players who were named Heisman Trophy candidates were:
- Dante Moore, Oregon
- Gunner Stockton, Georgia
- Arch Manning, Texas
- Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
- Demond Williams Jr., Washington
- Devon Dampier, Utah
- Kevin Jennings, SMU
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