Penn State's Blue-White game will showcase key position battles under new coach Matt Campbell. With a roster featuring many transfer players, several positions remain undecided heading into the spring game.
Key points
Penn State's Blue-White game is under new coach Matt Campbell
The roster includes many transfer players from Iowa State
Several positions remain undecided heading into the spring game
Key position battles include quarterback and others
The format of the game will not be traditional
Mentioned in this story
Penn StateIowa StateMatt Campbell
With spring practices wrapping up around the nation, that means that itās almost time for teams to host their annual spring games. It will be Penn Stateās first Blue-White game under Matt Campbell, and while it wonāt be a traditional format, there will still be a lot to look forward to.
Since the Nittany Lions are led by a new coach, the roster is filled with transfer players, mostly from Iowa State, and there is a lot of uncertainty at most positions. Returning players can usually look forward to inheriting starting roles from players whoāve graduated or entered the NFL Draft, but that process looks a little bit different when there is a change in leadership.
Some position groups have already given the coaching staff enough to know what the depth chart will look like this season, and others still have a long way to go. Here are the five positions that are still undecided heading into this weekās spring game.
Quarterback
Oct 25, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) celebrates after a Cyclone touchdown against the BYU Cougars at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) celebrates after a Cyclone touchdown against the BYU Cougars at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
Penn State quarterbacks have faced a ton of scrutiny in recent years. The team has always had rosters that looked strong enough to compete for national championships, but it seemed like the signal callers consistently let them down. While there may not be any household names at the position this year, it is still loaded with talent.
Rocco Becht, the former starter with the Cyclones, seems like he all but has the starting job locked up. However, the backup spot is still up for grabs, and spring practices havenāt helped much in providing the staff with clarity. Alex Manske, another transfer from , was in line to be the backup, but heās been injured the entire spring, which has forced a Division III transfer and a couple of freshmen to step up.
Q&A
What are the key position battles to watch during Penn State's Blue-White game?
The article highlights five key position battles, including quarterback, that are still undecided as the team prepares for the spring game.
Who is the new head coach for Penn State during the Blue-White game?
Matt Campbell is the new head coach for Penn State, leading the team in the upcoming Blue-White game.
How does the transfer player influx affect Penn State's roster?
The influx of transfer players, primarily from Iowa State, adds uncertainty to the roster and depth chart as the team adjusts to new leadership.
When is Penn State's Blue-White game scheduled?
The exact date of Penn State's Blue-White game is not specified, but it typically occurs during the spring season as part of the team's annual practices.
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Connor Barry has been working mostly with the first team, while Peyton Falzone and Kase Evans, the two aforementioned freshmen, have handled a lot of the backup and third-string reps. Becht has finally been able to get some 7-on-7 reps in recent weeks, but he still has been unable to participate in the live portions of practice.
With so many injuries at quarterback, the Blue-White game should be able to clear up any questions about Barry, Falzone, and Evans. Who knows if any of them will be able to earn the backup job, but this increased exposure could completely alter the coaching staffās plans that they had coming into the season.
Running Back
Dec 27, 2025; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Quinton Martin (25) carries the ball during the second half of the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Dec 27, 2025; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Quinton Martin (25) carries the ball during the second half of the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Nittany Lionsā running back room is loaded with talent, just like it is every year. Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton are moving on to the NFL, so now the starting job is up for grabs.
The running back room has been adaptable over the years, with the previous regime alternating between a split backfield and one workhorse depending on the situation. There is certainly enough talent to share carries, and thatās what happened in Iowa State the last few seasons, so everyone should be able to eat back there this season.
Quinton Martin Jr. feels like the man for the job after having waited patiently behind Allen and Singleton for two seasons, but heāll face a lot of competition. James Peoples, a transfer from Ohio State, also has a strong pedigree and will be looking for snaps for himself. He came over from the Buckeyes with a bigger workload in mind, so thatās another player for Martin Jr. to worry about.
Then there is Carson Hansen, another Campbell guy from Iowa State, who is easily the most accomplished running back in the group. He doesnāt have the same level of talent as Martin Jr. and Peoples, but heās put in the work for years and has Campbellās trust. This is arguably the most contentious position on the team, so make sure to keep an eye on the running backs during the Blue-White game.
Defensive End
Penn State defensive end Max Granville (18) during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in State College. The White team defeated the Blue team, 10-8.
Penn State defensive end Max Granville (18) during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in State College. The White team defeated the Blue team, 10-8.
A position like defensive end will always have some questions to answer due to the sheer amount of depth needed to create a strong group. Of course, there are starters who will play a majority of the snaps, but edge rushers are always being rotated throughout the course of a game.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, the teamās top pass rusher a season ago, will be drafted this week, which opens up the opportunity for someone to fill his role. Max Granville, a four-star edge rusher from Texas, seems like the obvious successor, but he is unproven. He missed the entirety of the 2025 season with an injury, so heāll have to prove that he can be consistently impactful and stay healthy.
Ikenna Ezeogu is in the mix to start this season as well, with Campbell saying that he has āflashed maybe every single day so far.ā He is another player that the Penn State coach is familiar with, which should help him out when the coaching staff is figuring out the depth chart.
Following the season-ending injury to Mason Robinson, the defensive end rotation will need someone to step up. The rest of the room is filled with inexperienced pass rushers who have been waiting for their opportunity. Well, now is their chance.
Most of them havenāt even recorded stats yet in college, so the Blue-White game will go a long way toward determining who will earn snaps. Alexander McPherson, a transfer from Colorado is just about the only other edge rusher on the team with experience, which means he could win one of the starting spots as well. Absolutely nothing is guaranteed with this group of players, so focus on the defensive line battle during the game this week.
Safety
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 29: Star Marcus Neal Jr. #31 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates after recovering a fumble by wide receiver Gavin Freeman of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Iowa State won 20-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 29: Star Marcus Neal Jr. #31 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates after recovering a fumble by wide receiver Gavin Freeman of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Iowa State won 20-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
There are almost no safeties returning for the Nittany Lions this year, making this one of the toughest positions to gauge. Marcus Neal Jr. could very well be the starter due to his experience, and it helps that he started under Campbell at Iowa State as well. However, the other safety spot is wide open, along with the backup spots, so there is a ton to compete for.
Jeremiah Cooper and Jamison Patton are the two most likely candidates for the second safety spot, while some lesser-known, unproven prospects will likely be duking it out for the backup roles. With a ton of transfers at this position who didnāt play much at their previous schools, the safeties will have their competitive juices flowing during the Blue-White game.
Wide Receiver
Dec 27, 2025; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Koby Howard (3) gains yards after catch during the second half of the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Dec 27, 2025; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Koby Howard (3) gains yards after catch during the second half of the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Much like the safeties, Penn State doesnāt have many returning wide receivers. Whether they transferred, graduated, or declared for the draft, there are very few pass catchers on the team with experience playing for the Nittany Lions.
Chase Sowell is expected to be the No. 1 receiver, retaining his spot from last year with the Cyclones, but not much else is solidified after that. Sowellās Iowa State teammate, Brett Eskilden, will get a good look at the starting job as well since his numbers were comparable to Sowellās, so it wouldnāt be surprising to see these two become the 1-2 punch at receiver.
Guys like Koby Howard and Karon Brookins will be competing for the starting slot receiver spot, while the rest of the receivers will fight to replace them as backups. This was a position that lacked top-end talent last year, and while that may still be the case, there is much more depth to make up for it this year.
There are a slew of players competing for five or six spots, which should make this an interesting battle. All of these positions should have their questions answered very soon.
