‘Came out of nowhere for us’ Matt Campbell names surprising Penn State Football spring MVP

Penn State Football Transfer quarterback Connor Barry was among the standouts from spring pracitce, according to Penn State Football head coach Matt Campbell. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)

‘Came out of nowhere for us’ Matt Campbell names surprising Penn State Football spring MVP

Originally posted on Nittany Central | Last updated May 3, 2026 11:40 AM ET

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It’s a new era for Penn State Football.

As Matt Campbell ties a bow on his first spring in Happy Valley as head coach of the Nittany Lions, few position groups will be more vital to Penn State‘s trajectory in 2026 than a quarterback room that is in a complete state of flux.

Drew Allar is a Pittsburgh Steeler, Ethan Grunkemeyer followed James Franklin to Virginia Tech, via the transfer portal, and in State College, Rocco Becht spent the spring largely working his way back from injury after arriving from Iowa State, along with Campbell.

Matt Campbell has high praise for Penn State QB Connor Barry

While Becht is slated to open September as the Nittany Lions’ starter, his limitations this spring created additional reps for transfer signal caller Connor Bary, and it sure sounds like he helped himself climb the depth chart with them.

“If you said, ‘Whose the guy who’s got the bulk of first-team reps or second-team reps and really made great strides,’ it’s been Connor,” Campbell told reporters, when asked to name his program’s spring MVP. “[He’s] kind of a guy who came out of nowhere a little bit for us. I’ve ben really proud of what you would expect [from] a guy who’s played college football, a guy that has been in the room, that has had to be the guy. I think there’s been great growth.”

According to Penn State on SI’s Mark Wogenrich, Barry led all Nittany Lions quarterabcks in live snaaps during spring practice. Berry, a 6-foot-1 and 206-pound senior, transferred to Penn State this spring from Division III Christopher Newport, where he was a Second-Team All-American, and set the school record for passing yards and touchdowns. In a crowded quarterback room that includes Becht, and Alex Manske, Berry’s playing time and experience could prove to be an asset this fall, and his strong spring could prove meaningful should disaster strike and he’s pressed into game action in the season ahead.

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This article first appeared on Nittany Central and was syndicated with permission.

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