Penn State star quarterback touts culture-changing new head coach

Penn State QB Becht praises Campbell's player-led vision

Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht endorsed new head coach Matt Campbell's approach to building a player-led program. Becht, who transferred from Iowa State, told ESPN on Wednesday that alignment on goals and expectations proves essential to winning big games. He contrasted the current buy-in with last year's shortcomings.

Penn State hired Campbell after his 10 years at Iowa State, where he improved the Cyclones from a 3-9 record to seven bowl appearances following four years without one. Campbell replaced James Franklin, fired midway through the 2025 season after three straight losses, including an upset by unranked UCLA while ranked seventh. Defensive coordinator Terry Smith served as interim coach and led Penn State to a Pinstripe Bowl victory over Clemson.

Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt ranked Penn State No. 15 in his post-spring top 25. The Nittany Lions reached the College Football Playoff in 2024 but lost to Notre Dame in the semifinals, their only appearance to date. Penn State's last national title came in 1986.

Campbell inherits a quarterback in Becht and a revamped 12-team playoff format that expands postseason access.