Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht (3) looks to pass against the Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)

It seemed inevitable for the last few weeks, and Penn State and Matt Campbell got their man to be the next quarterback for the Nittany Lions in Rocco Becht.

The former Iowa State quarterback put pen to paper on Sunday, rejoining Campbell for his final season of college football. Becht threw for 2,584 yards, 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions with the Cyclones this season.

“The head coach and the quarterback better be linked at the hip,” Campbell said at his introductory press conference last month. “The quarterback and the head coach get all the blame, and they probably get all the credit. They better be linked at the hip because I feel like the quarterback has got to have the leadership ability, the toughness and the grit, to control the locker room.

“I think you’re always looking for the right intangibles that way. Everybody likes fast, everybody likes arm strength, but those things don’t win. What wins is grit, toughness, character and the ability to lead others around you. And the locker room always knows who the quarterback should be.”

Becht is also coming with some friends from Ames, as well. The Nittany Lions also picked up tight ends Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle, offensive lineman Will Tompkins, safety Marcus Neal Jr., wide receiver Brett Eskildsen, and backup quarterback Alex Manske.

Through three seasons at Iowa State, Brahmer had 75 receptions for 977 yards and 9 TDs. He was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection this season, and was the No. 2 tight end in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.

A handful of other Nittany Lions also announced their future plans over the weekend. Most notably, linebacker Amare Campbell is now in the transfer portal after one season with the Nittany Lions. Campbell was PSU’s leader in tackles this season.

“I came to Penn State and fell in love with the insane fans, the culture, and everything this place stands for,” Campbell wrote on Instagram Sunday. “Playing in huge games here meant everything for me.

“Unfortunately, once again I find myself in a situation where I can’t allow myself to be undervalued. I have to do what’s best for my family, my future, and myself.”

Also former PSU players entering the portal over the weekend were safety Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, linebacker DaKaari Nelson, tight ends Matt Henderson and Andrew Olesh, and defensive tackle Owen Wafle and Kaleb Artis.

Players that announced their returns to Penn State include tight end Finn Furmanek, defensive tackles De’Andre Cook, Liam Andrews, and Ty Blanding, defensive end Mason Robinson, cornerbacks Zion Tracy and Jahmir Joseph, offensive lineman Dominic Rulli, and wide receiver Tyseer Denmark.