Penn State Turns to Transfer Portal for QB Continuity
James Franklin is gone, but Penn State’s offensive rebuild just got a serious jolt. The Nittany Lions landed former Iowa State signal-caller Rocco Becht, one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the transfer portal. The move reunites Becht with Matt Campbell, who took over the program after Franklin’s mid-season exit.
Becht spent three years leading the Cyclones offense and brings more than just a familiar face to Happy Valley—he brings familiarity with Campbell’s system. That continuity could be critical as Penn State navigates a coaching transition and tries to reload on the fly.
What Becht Brings to the Big Ten
Over his career in Ames, Becht put up big numbers: 9,274 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, and 27 picks. He also showed off his legs, racking up nearly 500 yards rushing and 19 scores on the ground. That dual-threat capability gives Penn State options they didn’t have before.
His final season with the Cyclones was a bit of a rollercoaster. Becht threw for 2,584 yards and 16 touchdowns, but his completion percentage dipped to 60.5% and turnovers became an issue with nine interceptions. Iowa State stumbled through a four-game losing streak before bouncing back late in the year, and Becht was right in the middle of both the struggles and the recovery.
Experience in the Portal Era
Becht was a three-star recruit coming out of high school, but he developed into a multi-year starter and a proven commodity. Now, he’ll try to translate that experience—and his knowledge of Campbell’s offensive scheme—to a Big Ten stage that demands immediate results.
Penn State’s offense was in flux even before Franklin’s exit, and bringing in a quarterback who already knows the playbook could accelerate the learning curve for everyone. Whether Becht can thrive in a new conference and under the pressure of a program desperate to rebound remains to be seen, but the Nittany Lions are betting his résumé speaks for itself.
