Penn State is set to make a significant addition to its offense for the 2026 season, landing former Iowa State tight end and All-Big 12 performer Benjamin Brahmer via the transfer portal.
Brahmer entered the portal the moment it opened on Jan. 2, and his recruitment was brief. With head coach Matt Campbell and offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Taylor Mouser now in State College, the connection was obvious from the start.
On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported that Brahmer has committed to the Nittany Lions, giving Penn State a proven playmaker with one season of eligibility remaining.
A native of Pierce, Nebraska, Brahmer brings both production and consistency to the tight end room.
During the 2025 season, he emerged as Iowa State’s top receiving threat, catching 37 passes on 51 targets for 446 yards and six touchdowns.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.That performance earned him second team All-Big 12 honors and further established him as one of the league’s most reliable red-zone weapons.
He also produced steadily earlier in his career, recording 10 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown in 2024, and 28 catches for 352 yards and two scores as a freshman in 2023. His breakout freshman season earned him a spot on The Athletic’s Freshman All-America team.
Brahmer’s résumé has made him one of the most coveted players in the portal. According to the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings, he is rated as the No. 1 tight end available and the No. 29 overall player. He was also a semifinalist for the 2024 Mackey Award, presented annually to college football’s top tight end.
Mouser, who was named FootballScoop’s Tight Ends Coach of the Year, played a key role in Brahmer’s development at Iowa State. Brahmer already ranks among the top tight ends in Cyclones history in receptions and receiving yards, and now he looks to make an immediate impact in Happy Valley.
