ESPN has shifted where they had the Penn State Nittany Lions in way too early 2026 College Football Top 25

Key additions: QB Rocco Becht (Iowa State), WR Chase Sowell (Iowa State), WR Brett Eskildsen (Iowa State), TE Benjamin Brahmer (Iowa State), RB Carson Hansen(Iowa State), G Trevor Buhr (Iowa State), LB Caleb Bacon (Iowa State), LB Kooper Ebel (Iowa State), S Marcus Neal Jr. (Iowa State), DT Siale Taupaki (UCLA)

2026 outlook: Matt Campbell seemed to do more with less at Iowa State. He’ll have a full war chest available at Penn State, which finally lured him away from Ames. The Nittany Lions might be poised for a huge turnaround after signing 39 transfers, including 24 who played for Campbell at Iowa State. Becht is experienced and has already won 26 games as a starter. Hansen ran for nearly 1,000 yards last season, and Eskildsen, Sowell and Brahmer were Becht’s top targets. Four starting offensive linemen have to be replaced, and Buhr and former Texas State center Brock Riker are proven players. Penn State doesn’t play Indiana, Ohio State or Oregon during the regular season in 2026.

Why you should buy into Penn State

While there was a lot of turnover this offseason, many of the new additions are very familiar to Campbell. He brought a ton of players over from Iowa State with him, including quarterback Rocco Becht, running back Carson Hansen, defensive back Jeremiah Cooper, and tight ends Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle, among others. That familiarity is important.

The 2026 schedule is also very manageable for the Nittany Lions. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see Penn State sitting at 5-0 heading into their matchup against USC. Depending on how they do during those back-to-back matchups against the Trojans and Michigan, the program could have a chance to flirt with the 10-win mark. It is a very manageable slate, especially with a very veteran roster.

What could hold the Nittany Lions back?

Whenever you make the switch in a regime, there is usually a bit of a grace period in the transition. It is unrealistic to believe that there will be no bumps on the road. That is especially true when going from the Big 12 to the Big Ten. There is a jump up in competition.