Possible transfers? 5 Iowa State players who could follow coach Matt Campbell to PSU
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Penn State has made its coaching hire, and now it’s time to figure out who will be playing for the Nittany Lions next year.
In the new era of college football, it is fairly common for players to follow their coaches to a new destination through the transfer portal. New Penn State head coach Matt Campbell could potentially do the same to help build PSU’s roster for 2026.
While the portal doesn’t open until Jan. 2, it’s never too early to look at who could be a Nittany Lion next season.
Here are the four best players at Iowa State with remaining eligibility who could potentially follow Campbell to State College.
Quarterback Rocco Becht
It always starts with the quarterback. Becht has been Campbell’s starter for the last three seasons at Iowa State, compiling 9,190 yards in those three years, along with 64 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. Those numbers don’t include his first year on campus when he redshirted and had 65 yards and an interception.
Becht isn’t an elite athlete but is a threat on the ground, with 19 rushing touchdowns in his career. He would immediately come in and start at Penn State if he were to follow Campbell, although that’s no guarantee. The Nittany Lions could decide to look elsewhere in the portal in what is usually one of the most active position groups in the country when it comes to transfers. Regardless, Becht would be a quality starter next season for Penn State if he decides to follow his coach to the Nittany Lions.
Running backs Carson Hansen and Abu Sama
These two are bunched together because it’s unlikely — though not impossible — that Penn State brings in two starting-level running backs from the portal. That being said, Hansen and Sama paired extremely well together with the Cyclones.
Hansen was the team’s primary back most of the season, carrying the ball 187 times for 950 yards and six touchdowns, with eight games where he led the team in carries. Sama had nearly as many carries, with 141 and was the team’s second leading rusher with 732 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. The duo was able to consistently produce regardless of opponent, and either would make for a quality starter in the Big Ten at Penn State. It’s just a matter of one of them wanting to follow Campbell and the new head coach deciding if he wants to take one, both or neither at his new job.
Wide receiver Chase Sowell
Sowell transferred in to Iowa State from East Carolina and was productive in his only year with the Cyclones, catching 32 passes for 500 yards and two touchdowns. He was a big-play threat for them at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and has the height, weight and speed to break out in his final year of eligibility as a true No. 1 option. The Nittany Lions have struggled at wide receiver in recent years and bringing in a player as talented as Sowell would give them a good baseline with legitimate upside to start building next year’s offense. He and leading receiver Brett Eskildsen could both be options for Campbell if he’s looking to bring a wideout or two to Penn State.
Tight end Ben Brahmer
While Sowell and Eskildsen led the team in receiving yards, it was Brahmer who was the team’s most reliable weapon. He led the team with 37 receptions and had 446 receiving yards and six touchdowns for the Cyclones. Becht continually went to him in big spots and relied on him in short yardage as a steady target. That being said, Penn State currently has plenty of depth at tight end, with Andrew Rappleyea, Luke Reynolds and Andrew Olesh having remaining eligibility. If any of those players leave, Brahmer could come in and start right away for Campbell and the Nittany Lions.
This story was originally published December 5, 2025 at 7:23 PM.
