Penn State QB Alex Manske makes “unbelievable” return to football field

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STATE COLLEGE – Wednesday was a special day for Alex Manske.

The simple act of taking the field for the first day of Penn State’s preseason practice meant everything to him.

“It was definitely a little emotional,” Manske said Friday at the Nittany Lions’ Media Day. “When you have something like that, all you’re thinking about is getting back for however long you’re out. It was definitely big for me.”

The 6-3, 210-pound Manske, a redshirt freshman, was untethered by restrictions several months after undergoing a medical procedure that he refused to detail. He wowed his teammates, coaches and media members with how he threw the football.

“I really don’t know (the last time he’s been so happy),” he said. “There really hasn’t been a moment more satisfying to me than just walking on the field for practice. It was just awesome.”

The relief among coach Matt Campbell and his staff was palpable. They know now that they have someone who has Division I experience behind starting quarterback Rocco Becht.

“It’s really what you would want your program to look like,” Campbell said. “You have a veteran teaching the young guy, and you have a young guy like that.”

Penn State wide receiver Brett Esklidsen, Manske’s teammate at Iowa State and now his roommate, is glad to see him back.

“He is actually one of my best friends,” Eskildsen said. “Just seeing him come back after not knowing whether he’d play football again, it’s an unbelievable story. Him being back on the field and looking as good as he has, he just shocks me more every day. I’m so proud of him.”

Manske was once a four-star prospect who chose Iowa State over such schools as Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kansas State, Pittsburgh and Texas A&M. He was rated the No. 2 player in Iowa in the 2025 recruiting class.

He played in three games last season for the Cyclones, completing 4-of-5 passes for 28 yards and running seven times for 33 yards.

“We were able to put him in in some moments and do different things,” Campbell said, “because there were wild moments in practice. ‘We got to play this guy.’ ”

Campbell, quarterbacks coach Jake Waters and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser all have praised Manske’s ability, even when he missed spring practice.

Two years ago, Manske underwent elbow surgery, which ended his senior season of high school in Algona, Iowa.

“Coming out of high school, you could probably say he was one of the top three or four quarterbacks in his class,” Campbell said. “He was a diehard Iowa State fan and grew up wanting to come to Iowa State. It was a monumental win for us because we thought he was the quarterback of the future.

“He has all the elite traits. This guy is really special.”

Waters, a former quarterback at Kansas State, said Manske has a big arm and can extend plays with his legs. Even he sounded a little surprised at how good Manske has looked this week.

“He’s throwing the ball well,” Waters said. “He’s handling the offense extremely well and making some really good plays. For a guy who hadn’t been around football for a little bit to come out and do it, he’s doing a great job. He’s been awesome.”

Manske said he was away from campus for about a month in the spring. At least twice he declined to describe his medical procedure.

“I’m not going to get too far into it,” he said. “I’m just excited for the season.”

But he did recount the day he received clearance to participate fully in fall camp.

“That day was definitely huge,” Manske said. “I remember right away I texted Coach Campbell, Coach Waters and Coach Mouse. I was just fired up. I was telling everyone I’d be ready for the season. I don’t know if the coaches believed me or if the trainers believed me.

“Everything went smoothly. I felt like they (his doctors and Penn State’s training staff) did a good job of putting me in a good spot. I don’t know what happened, but I’m throwing as good as I have thrown. I feel really good.”

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