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$1.4 Million QB Transfers To Historic College Football Program

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Jan 4, 2026 5:05 PM ET

Penn State will have a new starting quarterback for the 2026 college football season.

Rocco Becht, who spent the previous four seasons at Iowa State (three as a starter), has committed to Penn State. He's following Matt Campbell, who is now the new head coach at Penn State after serving as Iowa State's head coach for the previous 10 seasons.

This will be Becht's final collegiate season, and he is fired up to join Penn State.

“Penn State is getting a winner, someone who is competitive and wants to win every game,” Becht told ESPN's Pete Thamel. “Whatever my stats may be, all I want to do is win. Whatever I have to do for the team.”

Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Becht helped Iowa State win eight games during the 2025 regular season, finishing with 2,584 yards through the air, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His best individual season at Iowa State came in 2024 when he racked up 3,505 yards through the air, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Becht has compiled 9,274 yards through the air, 64 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions during his time as a collegiate quarterback.

He will join a Nittany Lions team that is only a year removed from making it to the College Football Playoff semifinals. They finished the 2025 season with a 7-6 record after beating the Clemson Tigers 22-10 in the Pinstripe Bowl.

The Nittany Lions will look to add other players to the program now that they have their starting quarterback for next season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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