This is one in a series of stories breaking down each player on Penn State football’s 2026 roster.
Penn State has an obvious starting quarterback in Rocco Becht, and an equally obvious backup in Alex Manske.
Like Becht, Manske is coming over with coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State.
Penn State fans and media didn’t get to see Manske in spring camp because he was recovering from an injury. With Becht also limited due to injury, DIII transfer Connor Barry took most of the first team reps.
But with both expected to be ready to go for fall camp, people in Happy Valley will get to see what Manske can do.
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 217 pounds
Hometown: Algona, Iowa
Before Penn State
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Iowa State: Manske redshirted is freshman season, appearing in three games. He ended the year completing four of five passes for 28 yards, adding 33 yards on seven carries.
High School: Manske came to Iowa State after a standout career at Iowa’s Algona High School.
He ended his career a three-time all-state selection with 4,933 yards and 49 touchdowns passing, plus 1,414 yards and 27 touchdowns rushing.
On3Sports had him as a four-star recruit, the No. 20 QB in the country and the No. 2 player in Iowa.
Where he stands: Right now, Manske’s standing in Penn State’s QB room is pretty obvious: He’s second-in-command.
He’s the only scholarship QB besides Becht that has DI experience, and with Becht being out of eligibility after this season, Manske seems to be the favorite to take over if Penn State doesn’t look to the transfer portal for a starting QB in 2027.
A quote about Manske:
“Alex Manske is back on campus, which is huge “I think (it is) a monumental win for us. I think (he’s) certainly trending towards where we would want him to be by the time we get to the summer, so he can progress his way back.” — Penn State HC Matt Campbell on Manske during spring practice in April.
