Penn State continues to monitor the transfer portal for roster upgrades and depth pieces following the 2025 season, and one intriguing name is former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht.
Becht, a multi-year starter for the Cyclones, entered the transfer portal after the 2025 season following a productive but inconsistent career in Ames. With starting experience, postseason success and clear athletic tools, Becht represents a classic high-floor, high-variance quarterback option, particularly for programs seeking competition or experienced depth at the position.
Although Becht has familiarity playing for Matt Campbell, the question is whether his skill set is an upgrade for Campbell at Penn State over Penn State’s current QB, Ethan Grunkemeyer.
Player Profile
Name: Rocco Becht
Position: Quarterback
Height / Weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds
Eligibility: 1 year remaining
Previous School: Iowa State
Career Overview
Becht appeared in three games during the 2022 season, preserving his redshirt before becoming Iowa State’s full-time starter in 2023 following Hunter Dekkers’ departure. He immediately stabilized the position and led the Cyclones to a 7–5 record and a Liberty Bowl appearance, garnering the Big XII Offensive Freshman of the Year award.
His best moments came in high-leverage situations. Becht guided Iowa State to the Big 12 Championship Game in 2024 and authored one of the bowl season’s most memorable finishes by leading a last-minute comeback win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, accounting for four total touchdowns winning Pop-Tarts Bowl Game MVP that capped a program record with 11-win season.
Across four years, Becht threw for more than 9,200 passing yards, 64 touchdowns and added 19 rushing score, starting 39 games.
Scouting Report
Strengths
- Throws timing routes with anticipation
- Improved touch and ball placement year-over-year
- Comfortable throwing outside structure
- Will throw the ball away rather than force bad decisions
- Capable athlete in designed quarterback runs
- Effective scrambler who protects himself as a runner
Concerns
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.- Pocket platform is inconsistent and often rushed
- Accuracy can be erratic, especially when feet aren’t set
- Limited pocket maneuverability
- Deep ball tends to be underthrown
- Ball security in the pocket can be an issue
- Too quick to abandon clean pockets
Becht is at his best when the offense allows him to play on the move or simplifies his reads. When asked to operate strictly from the pocket, his mechanics can break down, leading to misses or ill-advised throws.
Scheme Fit at Penn State
On the surface, it seems Becht fits Campbell’s scheme since he has participated in it before.
Becht’s background under multiple spread and hybrid concepts makes him adaptable, but he would require structure to succeed in State College. The question becomes: with the pieces Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser have at their disposal, how will they tinker their approach?
He’s not a pure pocket distributor, nor is he an improvisational playmaker who thrives off-script for extended stretches. However, his experience managing games, protecting possessions, and executing designed quarterback runs fits well as a high-end QB2 or bridge starter if needed.
Final Verdict
Becht isn’t a transformational portal quarterback, but he is a battle-tested starter with proven production and toughness. For Penn State, his value would come in competition, depth and experience rather than long-term upside.
If the staff is looking for a reliable, physically capable quarterback who can step in and manage games if necessary, Becht is worth serious evaluation.
The question becomes: does Becht want to compete for the starting job without any assurances and would his joining the team force Grunkemeyer out the door?
In 2025, Becht, who was in his third full season in the Campbell system had an NFL quarterback rating of 95.3 in all zones in the intermediate and deep passing game.
Grunkemeyer in his first year as a starter had a 103.7 quarterback rating in the same zones.
I feel the upside and growth potential with Grunkemeyer is far too valuable for Campbell to squander for such short term gains that would open more quarterback questions in 2027.
