Penn State football quarterback Rocco Becht is ready to get back out on the field. His 2025 season wasn't spectacular compared to the numbers he put up in previous seasons due to shoulder injuries that nagged him throughout the year. After receiving and recovering from surgery, though, the Nittany Lions have their starter and the most experience NCAA quarterback at that.
Not only does Becht want to improve upon his 2025 performance, but he wants his skill players to make an impact. Names like tight end Benjamin Brahmer and wide receiver Chase Sowell come to mind, but returning Penn Staters can't be forgotten. Becht certainly isn't leaving them out either.
"That guy is really special," Becht said of sophomore wideout Koby Howard at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday. "He did a lot of good things in spring ball and he's probably going to do a lot of great things in fall camp [and] in the season for us. So, hopefully I can get him over 1,000 yards receiving, but something I'm looking forward to is just playing with him."
— Koby Howard (@KobyHoward3) July 28, 2026
Rocco Becht says he hopes he can get wide receiver Koby Howard over 1,000 receiving yards in 2026
While Becht said jokingly that he wants to get Howard to 1,000-plus receiving yards, having that kind of faith in a young reciver is exactly what Penn State needs. The past few years, there hasn't been a standout wide receiver on the roster despite attempts to pick up talented transfers. The receiving game hasn't been strong, and that needs to change if the Nittany Lions want to get back into national title contention.
Howard might not be the top wideout people are looking at, but he's definitely a top name when thinking about under-the-radar players. As a true freshman, he caught seven passes for 133 yards. It's not a great stat, but it's a starting point. In 2026, he'll have more opportunity with Becht under center to showcase his ability while proving himself to be a reliable pass catcher for future seasons when the older receivers move on.
Penn State has been a run-heavy offense the past few years with running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen on the roster. Even last season when former head coach James Franklin and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki tried revamping the offense, it was clear that a pass-dominant offense was not the Nittany Lions' identity.
Things are changing in Happy Valley, though, and things are changing in the wide receiver room especially. More time competing with older guys on the roster and playing with the most experienced quarterback in the NCAA this season will help Howard get to the next level of his game. Having that comfortability with Becht as well even before fall camp is a good sign that Howard will get meaningful targets in the regular season.
Becht might be semi-joking when he says he wants to get Howard to 1,000 receiving yards, but he'll certainly get him more than 133.
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