Penn State’s offseason has been chaotic, to say the least.
In addition to revamping the coaching staff, the Nittany Lions have both brought in and lost the most transfer portal players in program history, with 47 outgoing players and 36 — and counting — incoming.
While the transfer portal has officially closed to new entrants, those in the portal are still able to commit, meaning Penn State can make more additions in the coming weeks.
Based on the current returning players, incoming transfers and freshman recruiting class, here’s a way-too-early look at the team’s depth for next season on the offensive side of the ball.
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Rocco Becht
Backup: Alex Manske
Penn State lost a lot this offseason: Drew Allar graduated, Ethan Grunkemeyer committed to transfer to Virginia Tech, Jaxon Smolik signed with Temple and Bekkem Kritza is still in the portal, leaving Penn State without a returning scholarship player at quarterback.
Becht feels like a shoe-in to start in 2026 after spending the last four years with head coach Matt Campbell at Iowa State, including three seasons starting. He’s had an up-and-down career but likely wouldn’t have transferred with his last year of eligibility to come be a benchwarmer.
The only other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster will be Alex Manske, who redshirted last season while backing up Becht with the Cyclones, and incoming freshmen Peyton Falzone and Kase Evans. Manske will likely be the backup given his seniority and one year in Campbell’s system.
RUNNING BACK
Starter: Carson Hansen
Backups: Quinton Martin Jr., James Peoples
Hansen is similar to Becht in that he’s a multi-year starter from Iowa State who followed Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser. It’s unlikely he transferred just to take a demotion, though he’ll likely split touches with Ohio State transfer Peoples and returning Nittany Lion Martin.
Hansen is the most established of the group, having rushed for 952 yards last season, more than Peoples and Martin have total in their four combined seasons of college football.
However, it’s possible all three share carries fairly evenly in a committee approach given their slightly different skillsets. Hansen was best when he could get outside the tackles and to the edge, Martin was better up the middle and Peoples is arguably the best pass-catcher of the group.
WIDE RECEIVER
Starters: Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen, Koby Howard
Backups: Keith Jones Jr., Peter Gonzalez, Lyrick Samuel
All three of Penn State’s 2025 starters have exhausted their eligibility, and five inexperienced but promising underclassmen have portaled elsewhere. Howard, who had seven receptions for 133 yards, is the leading returner and should battle for a starting role after seeing increased playing time down the stretch in 2025.
Eksildsen and Sowell were Iowa State’s leading receivers last season with 526 and 500 yards, respectively. While their numbers aren’t gaudy, they have starting experience in Mouser’s offense, something that could help them come out on top throughout camp.
Jones also has starting experience, though it came at FCS Grambling State and may not immediately translate to production in the Big Ten. Gonzalez and Samuel have yet to catch a pass with the Nittany Lions but have picked up buzz as potential contributors this season after deciding to return.
TIGHT END
Starters: Benjamin Brahmer and Andrew Rappleyea
Backup: Gabe Burkle
Brahmer is the most experienced of the bunch, with three seasons starting at Iowa State (one cut short to injury) where he amassed 75 receptions for 977 yards and nine touchdowns. While Rappleyea doesn’t have the same production, he impressed late in the season for Penn State, both as a pass-catcher and blocker, and will likely push for equal reps.
Behind them, Cyclones transfer Gabe Burkle should see time as the TE3 after totaling 52 receptions for 598 yards over the last two seasons. He saw nearly 500 snaps last season, not far behind Brahmer.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Left tackle: Owen Aliciene
Left guard: Trevor Buhr
Center: Brock Riker or Dom Rulli
Right guard: Cooper Cousins
Right tackle: Anthony Donkoh
Backups:
IOL Tyshon Huff
OT Garrett Sexton
OT Malachi Goodman
Donkoh is the only returning starter from last year’s squad and has experience at both right guard and right tackle. While he graded higher as a guard, the Nittany Lions may need him to remain on the edge in 2026.
It’ll be hard to keep Cousins out of a starting role next season, and he has the versatility to play anywhere on the interior. Buhr has played primarily at left guard and Riker and Rulli are true centers, possibly forcing Cousins to the right side.
Riker brings starting experience from Texas State, but Rulli played well after earning his first start in the Pinstripe Bowl, setting up a battle for the starting center in 2026.
Left tackle is the toughest to forecast, as no players on the roster have meaningful experience at the position. Aliciene saw 22 snaps there in Week 1 against Nevada but didn’t see any more playing time the rest of the year. Goodman and Sexton are also in the mix.
