Matt Campbell didn’t have many big in-state recruiting wins in the 2027 class, landing just one of the top 20 players from PA, according to 247Sports. However, in 2028, he’s off to a strong start with four-star cornerback Deonte Flemings Jr. and four-star quarterback James Armstrong, who quickly transitioned from key recruit to key recruiter, helping to assemble the class.
Armstrong is, as expected, off to a strong start to his junior year, leading Hopewell High School to a 2-0 start after beating Chartiers Valley 35-20 in Week 2 on Friday night with 280 yards and four touchdowns through the air, and another 95 yards on the ground.
A day later, Armstrong is at Beaver Stadium for Penn State’s Week 1 season opener against Marshall, the first game of the Campbell era in Happy Valley. Armstrong was expected to arrive for a game day visit in Week 1, but with his appearance, Penn State fans who are expected to see the new-look Nittany Lions will also get a glimpse of a future Nittany Lion who appears locked into his commitment.
Penn State QB commit James Armstrong in attendance after leading Hopewell High School to a win last night pic.twitter.com/O3XOrYQRoe
— Joel Haas (@Joel_Haas1) September 5, 2026
Penn State fans may get to see its entire QB succession plan at Beaver Stadium in Week 1
Armstrong is the third QB Campbell has recruited since arriving at Penn State late this offseason. After leaving Iowa State, he got former Cyclones commit Kase Evans to flip to the Cyclones. Then, soon after, he landed a commitment from 2027 three-star Will Wood.
However, Armstrong is a higher-rated prospect than both and could be on the rise even more so throughout his junior season. A 6-foot-3, 220-pound dual-threat QB, Armstrong’s ceiling is as high, if not higher, than any player Campbell ever recruited at Iowa State. He’s currently QB No. 10 by 247Sports composite rankings.
It would not be a surprise if Armstrong quickly usurps Evans and Wood once he finally arrives in Happy Valley, and if everything goes to plan for Campbell, general manager Derek Hoodjer, and the rest of the staff, the Nittany Lions will have a program leader in the interim.
Rocco Becht is QB1 in 2026 and will start on Saturday afternoon. However, the Nittany Lions will also likely give opportunities to redshirt freshman Alex Manske, who is the clear heir apparent in the program. Manske will have three seasons of eligibility after 2026, which he will presumably spend backing up Becht and occasionally spelling him for specialized packages in Taylor Mouser’s offense.
By the time Manske is in his final year of eligibility in 2029, Armstrong will be in Year 2, ready to fill a similar role before, hopefully, grabbing the reins the next year.
For most programs in modern college football, it is impossible to plan that far out. For Campbell, though, it may be possible. Becht is entering his fourth season starting for Campbell. There was just one season between Brock Purdy, a four-year starter in Ames, and Becht at Iowa State.
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