This is one in a series of stories breaking down each of the players on Penn State Football’s 2026 roster.
After a breakout campaign in Division III, senior quarterback Connor Barry decided to give the top flight of college football another shot during his final season. The 6-foot-1, 211 pound signal caller threw for 2,866 yards and 35 touchdowns over 11 games at Christopher Newport last season, providing dual-threat upside with another 257 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Rocco Becht is the presumptive starter at quarterback for Penn State, but that doesn’t mean that Barry won’t get on the field for kneeldowns or in blowouts. Being able to run with the football is an important asset for Barry, as having another dimension to his game could help him acclimate to the speed of Division I if he does end up coming in for a high-stakes series.
Beyond that, expect him to serve as a ‘glue guy’ in the Nittany Lions’ locker room, helping the team with his veteran presence.
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 211 pounds
Hometown: Vienna, Va.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.High School Career: Zayas earned a three-star rating as a recruit in high school, posting a 4.5 second 40-yard dash during his junior season. His high school tape shows plenty of athleticism, including this leaping interception as a junior.
Appalachian State (2022): Barry took a redshirt year with the Mountaineers as a true freshman.
Christopher Newport (2023-25): Barry then transferred to Division III, breaking out as one of the classification’s best quarterbacks in 2025 with 2,866 passing yards and 35 touchdowns.
PENN STATE
Where he stands: Barry probably won’t get much playing time outside of late-game blowouts. As one of the oldest quarterbacks on the team, however, expect him to get some courtesy snaps in those situations as he wraps up his college career.
Similarly, if the Nittany Lions deal with any injuries at the position, expect Barry to be one of the first numbers they call on — not only to take advantage of his experience, but also to protect the development of younger signal callers by keeping them out of spiraling situations. Outside of catastrophe, expect Barry to help Penn State through his presence as a locker room veteran: backup quarterbacks can help a team through their vibes as much as their ability to settle in when things go south.
