It was a transfer portal season unlike any other for Penn State football.
The transfer portal officially closed Friday, bringing a sense of stability and predictability to Penn State’s projected 2026 roster.
As part of an ongoing series, we are examining the top five players who arrived, who stayed, and who the Nittany Lions lost in the portal.
Portal Reaction: Top 5 Players Penn State Kept From The Transfer Portal
This installment focuses on Penn State’s Top 5 transfer portal gains, using analytics to illustrate why each addition addresses a critical roster need entering the Matt Campbell era.
#5 Caleb Bacon – LB
Penn State’s linebacker depth was tested throughout much of 2025, particularly as injuries limited Tony Rojas and inexperience stretched the rotation. While the departure of Amare Campbell stings, the addition of Bacon helps mitigate that loss.
Bacon finished third on Iowa State with 68 total tackles and ranked second on the team with 9.5 tackles for loss, showcasing strong downhill instincts. His pass-rush ability emerged late in the season, highlighted by a six-pressure performance against Oklahoma State, where he earned a 90.1 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus. Bacon’s pressure efficiency gives Penn State a versatile linebacker capable of contributing on early downs and in simulated pressures.
#4 Chase Sowell – WR
Penn State attempted to reshape its wide receiver room via the portal in 2025 with mixed results. In 2026, the staff is betting on familiarity and system fit with Sowell.
Sowell led Iowa State in receptions (32) and finished second in receiving yards (500), and also posted one of the Cyclones’ highest yards per route run marks. His experience in Campbell and Taylor Mouser’s offense should shorten the acclimation period, offering Penn State a reliable boundary target with proven usage in a similar scheme.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.#3 Benjamin Brahmer – TE
With Penn State losing former five-star tight ends Andrew Olesh and Luke Reynolds, Campbell made tight end a priority—and landed a proven option in Brahmer.
A 2024 John Mackey Award semifinalist, Brahmer led Iowa State in both receptions (37) and touchdown catches (6). Beyond production, his blocking efficiency stands out, grading consistently above 70 as a run blocker, making him an ideal complement to Andrew Rappleyea in multiple-tight-end sets.
#2 Marcus Neal Jr. – S
Penn State’s recent run of dynamic safety play faced uncertainty entering 2026, making Neal a critical addition.
Neal led Iowa State in tackles (77) and tackles for loss (11), rare production for a defensive back. His 85.1 run-defense grade (PFF) underscores his ability to trigger downhill and finish plays, giving Penn State a tone-setter on the back end with three-down versatility.
#1 Rocco Becht – QB
Photo by Jeff Spaur, Iowa State Athletics
With Penn State lacking a clear starting quarterback, landing Becht became the program’s top portal priority, especially amid late interest from LSU.
Becht arrives as a proven, high-leverage performer. He led Iowa State to the 2024 Big 12 Championship Game and delivered one of bowl season’s defining moments by engineering a late comeback win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, accounting for four total touchdowns and earning MVP honors. Over four seasons, Becht started 39 games, throwing for 9,200+ yards and 64 touchdowns, while adding 19 rushing scores. His experience and efficiency make him the ideal bridge quarterback as Penn State transitions into a new era
