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Rocco Becht news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Rocco Becht, healthy after shoulder surgery, starts for No. 18 Penn State. His performance could define Matt Campbell's first season.
Background
Rocco Becht transferred from Iowa State to Penn State to follow coach Matt Campbell. He had a standout 2024 season but struggled in 2025 due to shoulder injuries. Now healthy, he is expected to lead the Nittany Lions in 2026.
How it unfolded
- 2023Becht became Iowa State's starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman, earning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.
- 2024He led Iowa State to a school-record 11 wins and a Big 12 Championship appearance, throwing for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns.
- 2025Becht played through painful shoulder injuries, his production dropped to 2,584 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.
- Offseason 2026Becht underwent shoulder surgery and transferred to Penn State, following coach Matt Campbell.
- Sep 2, 2026Becht is declared healthy and ready for Penn State's season opener, with coach and teammates praising his leadership.
Who’s saying what
- Coach
- Matt Campbell praised Becht's resilience and ability to bounce back from bad plays, calling him the best version of himself.
- Teammate
- Wide receiver Zay Robinson said Becht is a gritty leader who will do whatever it takes for the team to win.
- Analyst
- Some analysts suggest college football is 'sleeping on' Becht, noting his potential to revert to his 2024 form with a better supporting cast.
- Caution
- Marshall defensive back Daytione Smith acknowledged Becht as an underrated rusher but noted he's not on the level of their own quarterback in the run game.