Matt Campbell takes over as head coach at Penn State after James Franklin’s departure following a 7-6 season. Taylor Mouser joins Campbell from Iowa State as he takes over offensive play-calling duties as offensive coordinator. Quarterback Rocco Becht also follows Campbell after throwing 64 career touchdown passes, while running back Carson Hansen joins the backfield after averaging 87 rushing yards per game last season. The Cyclones’ Benjamin Brahmer, Chase Sowell, and Brett Eskildsen also join the Nittany Lions after recording 37, 32, and 30 receptions, respectively, last season, giving Becht several familiar targets in the new offense. Anthony Donkoh is the lone returning starter on the offensive line after making 11 starts last season, while Iowa State transfer Trevor Buhr joins the group after making six starts.
D’Anton Lynn arrives from USC as defensive coordinator and inherits a unit that lost nine of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including its top four. UCLA transfer Keanu Williams and Iowa State transfer Ikenna Ezeogu join the defensive front after each making 12 starts last season. Kooper Ebel will lead the linebackers after making 12 starts with the Cyclones, while Tony Rojas returns after starting all four games he appeared in during an injury-shortened 2025 season. Caleb Bacon also joins the linebacker group after making 12 starts. The secondary returns Audavion Collins after making 13 starts and Zion Tracy after making nine. Marcus Neal Jr. joins the group after making 12 starts, while Jamison Patton adds nine starts of experience. Jeremiah Cooper also joins the secondary after starting all four games he appeared in during 2025.
Justin Lustig returns for his third season as special teams coordinator. Ryan Barker is back at placekicker after connecting on 95 percent of his field-goal attempts last season, while Mississippi State transfer Nathan Tiyce takes over at punter. Penn State enters 2026 with extensive turnover following the coaching change, but Campbell brings several familiar, experienced players from Iowa State. The Nittany Lions return only two of last season’s top eleven tacklers and just one offensive-line starter, while the transfer portal provides significant starting experience throughout the defense.