Who are the most important players for Penn State’s offense in 2026? Here’s our list
Penn State’s season is under four months away, with the team’s season opener coming on Sept. 5 against Marshall in Beaver Stadium. With that in mind, we’re going to begin looking at the key players and games of the 2026 season.
First up, the 10 most important offensive players for Penn State.
1. Quarterback Rocco Becht
Unsurprisingly, the starting quarterback is the most important player on the offense — but this goes on the usual reasoning. Yes, he’s the leader of the unit and his play will dictate what the Nittany Lions can do with the ball this year, but the backup situation behind him is not great. Projected backup Alex Manske underwent a medical procedure this offseason, and his status remains uncertain, although head coach Matt Campbell has mentioned a potential fall return. Still, Becht has to stay healthy for this team to get where it wants to go.
2. Right tackle Anthony Donkoh
There are several players who could go here, but I’ll go with Penn State’s best offensive lineman. Donkoh was banged up last year and was this offseason too, but once he’s healthy he could be an all-conference level tackle in the Big Ten. He’s got the size and athleticism that it takes to be among the best of the best, and if he puts it all together he could be a key piece up front this season.
3. Wide receiver Chase Sowell
No position has come under more scrutiny in recent years than wide receiver, and Sowell could go a long way in silencing all of those critics. He’s a high-end receiver who has all the tools to be a true No. 1 option in an offense. He’s going to be the WR1 on this team, and he has a chance to be a game changer this season. Sowell may have an outsized role in determining this team’s ceiling in 2026.
4. Tight end Ben Brahmer
Brahmer was Iowa State’s third-leading receiver last season and had a team-high six receiving touchdowns, but it’s his blocking that could sway Penn State’s outlook in this season. He’s a high-end pass catcher at tight end, but he was below average as a blocker with the Cyclones. At 6-foot-7, 252 pounds he has the size to block well, but it’s the praise he’s received this offseason from several coaches that should give the team confidence he can take a step in that regard. And if he does, the team’s two tight end sets will be even more of a strength.
5. Center Brock Riker
Riker went into the offseason in a competition for the starting center job but after Dom Rulli missed spring ball, the job is likely his. The former Texas State center came to Penn State undersized but has already added strength and should be a good fit in offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser’s system. There’s a lot on a center’s plate when it comes to determining protections pre-snap, which only adds to Riker’s importance.
6. Left tackle Malachi Goodman
Goodman hasn’t yet won a starting job, but he’s the favorite at left tackle and he might have more upside than anybody in the trenches on either side of the ball for Penn State. He’s an excellent athlete for his size at 6-foot-6, 331 pounds and is a mauler in the run game because of his strength. There will likely be ups and downs in his first year as a starter, but if Goodman hits, he could hit very big for the Nittany Lions.
7. Wide receiver Brett Eskildsen
Eskildsen was a field stretcher for Iowa State last season, but the true junior could be a much more well-rounded weapon for Penn State. While Sowell could be the No. 1, he’ll need help from a legitimate threat as a No. 2 so he doesn’t see coverage shaded his way. Of course, him being able to stretch the field should also open up plenty of opportunities to create explosive plays for the offense.
8. Tight end Andrew Rappleyea
While Brahmer is likely to be the team’s top receiving option at tight end, Rappleyea is going to be the group’s most well-rounded player. He’s already good as a pass catcher and a blocker — the type of player that can make 12 personnel a feature part of the offense because defenses won’t know if he’s going out on a route or blocking when he’s on the field. Rappleyea might not have TE1 numbers this year, but he could still make a major difference.
9. Wide receiver Koby Howard
Speaking of the team’s personnel groupings, whether the Nittany Lions rely on 12 personnel or 11 personnel will come down to how good Howard can be in the slot. If he continues to progress, he will force his way onto the field and push Mouser to utilize three wide receiver looks. But if he doesn’t, Penn State could end up being overly dependent on getting two tight ends on the field.
10. Right guard Cooper Cousins
Cousins established himself as one of the team leaders this offseason, but should also be a key cog along the interior of the offensive line. He’s likely to start at right guard and has played quite a bit already for a true junior. This year he’ll have to improve as a pass protector, but there’s no denying his physicality and his mentality. He will likely be the face of what could be a mauling running game.
It is worth mentioning that, despite the expectation that this team will run the ball well, there is no running back on this list. That’s more about the depth at the position with Carson Hansen, James Peoples, Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace.
