New PSU faces to know under Matt Campbell include QB Rocco Becht, RB Carsen Hansen
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A lot has changed since Penn State left Yankee Stadium the Pinstripe Bowl champs in December.
Matt Campbell has taken over as head coach and remade wide swaths of the roster with transfers who decided to follow him from Iowa State. Key players from the final seasons of the James Franklin era have either graduated to the NFL or transferred.
Here’s USA TODAY’s primer on the new faces you most need to know ahead of the season opener against Marshall on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Beaver Stadium. Furthermore, we've noted which familiar faces have decided to stick around under the new coaching regime.
New – Rocco Becht (QB)
Penn State’s starting quarterback followed Campbell from Iowa State and is one of the most experienced players at his position in college football. He comes to Happy Valley having already thrown for 9,274 yards, 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions across four seasons. Injuries marred his 2025 season, however, prompting his return to college. He underwent surgery for a partially torn labrum in December and also dealt with a sprained AC joint. His numbers suffered as a result. Becht completed just 60.5% of his passes for 2,584 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Cyclones. Throw in nine picks and it was a very ordinary season for a player and a team that entered the year with College Football Playoff expectations. The son of former NFL player and broadcaster Anthony Becht, he’ll be looking for a bounce-back campaign in 2026.
Familiar – Tony Rojas (LB)
The redshirt junior linebacker is best known to Nittany Lions fans for his interception return for a touchdown in the program’s first CFP game against SMU back in 2024. He was an All-Big Ten honorable mention that year after totaling 58 tackles, six tackles for loss one sack and three interceptions. He subsequently lost most of his 2025 season due to a torn ACL injury in practice, so the fan base will be anxious to see if he can put himself back on track to be the next memorable name to join the school’s Linebacker U tradition.
New – Benjamin Brahmer (TE)
The senior was a finalist for the John Mackey award – given to the best tight end in college football – and was named a second-team All-Big 12 selection after he caught 37 passes for 446 yards and six touchdowns for Iowa State in 2025. He followed Campbell to Penn State and steps into a rich recent history for the Lions at his position. Tyler Warren won the Mackey award in 2024, and Pat Freiermuth and Brenton Strange have made lucrative careers for themselves in the NFL since leaving Happy Valley. Expectations will be high for him to be a major contributor offensively.
Familiar – Max Granville (EDGE)
The redshirt sophomore arrived at Penn State two years ago to a lot of hype as a four-star rated prospect. Since then, he has exactly one tackle in blue and white. The presence of future NFL talents Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton limited his opportunities as a freshman. He played in just seven games. Then he lost all of 2025 to an injury he sustained off the field. Now he’ll be looked to as the next major pass rushing threat with both of his predecessors now on to the pro careers.
New – Brett Eskildsen and Chase Sowell (WRs)
Iowa State’s top two receiving targets in 2025 join Campbell at Penn State with hope that their numbers can surge along with Becht’s. The counting stats from 2025 won’t blow anyone away. Eskildsen had 30 catches for 526 yards and five touchdowns. Sowell added 32 catches for 500 yards and two scores. It’s the explosive averages that stand out. Eskildsen was at 17.5 yards per catch while Sowell was posted a number of 15.6. If Penn State can get that kind of production in greater volume, it will be a handful for a lot of defenses.
Familiar – Cooper Cousins and Anthony Donkoh (OL)
The right side of the offensive line is home grown, even as parts of the offensive line has been remade by Campbell. Cousins was another heralded prospect from Granville’s class whose slowly found his way into a prominent role. He has limited starts but played in 12 games last season. Donkoh is one of the few remaining starters from the playoff team in 2024. He has two years of action at right tackle. Together, they’re expected to be one of the strong points of the offense.
New – Carsen Hansen (RB)
Hansen was the Cyclones’ leading rusher last year inherits some big shoes. The graduated Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton left Penn State at No. 1 and No. 4, respectively, on the school’s all-time rushing list. They were key pieces not only of the 2024 playoff run, but of the Rose Bowl-winning team in January of 2023. Hansen probably won’t be quite that decorated when he leaves, but comes with solid credentials. He’s averaged 4.9 yards per carry through his three seasons.
Familiar – Quinton Martin Jr. (RB)
The Pittsburgh-area native has had limited chances to contribute in his first two seasons because of how prolific Allen and Singleton were. They gobbled up most of the touches. Martin made the most of his opportunity when both players sat out of the Pinstripe Bowl, though. He carried 20 times for 103 yards to show that he belongs in the conversation to contribute – either behind Hansen, or eventually alongside him.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New PSU faces to know under Matt Campbell include QB Rocco Becht, RB Carsen Hansen
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