This is one in a series of stories breaking down each player on Penn State football’s 2026 roster.
Trevor Buhr is another example of Penn State’s new staff going back to a place it knows well.
Buhr, a redshirt junior offensive lineman from Washington, Missouri, transferred to Penn State from Iowa State, giving the Nittany Lions another experienced piece in a room that needed competition, depth and proven snaps.
At 6-foot-4, 318 pounds, Buhr arrives with starting experience, Big 12 experience and a connection to Matt Campbell’s previous program. That does not automatically hand him a job, but it does make him one of the more interesting offensive line additions on Penn State’s 2026 roster that is rebuilding as many key departures such as Vega Ioane, Nick Dawkins, Drew Shelton, T.J. Shanahan, and Nolan Rucci.
Buhr played at Iowa State from 2023-25. After redshirting in 2023, he became part of the Cyclones’ offensive line rotation in 2024, playing in 13 games and making six starts.
2024 was a landmark season for the Iowa State program as Buhr was an integral part in Iowa State’s highest scoring offense in program history (435) and single season in wins (11). Buhr was a force ont he ground that helped the Cyclones rush for 27 touchdowns, which tied for the fourth-most in school history.
In 2025, Buhr’s role continued to grow. He played in eight games and made six starts while earning All-Big 12 honorable mention. He also did not allow a sack in 218 pass-blocking snaps, according to his Iowa State bio.
The Pro Football Focus numbers show a player who improved from 2024 to 2025.
Buhr played 583 offensive snaps in 2024 and posted a 55.1 overall grade. In 2025, he played 453 snaps and raised his overall grade to 64.5. His run-blocking grade increased to 62.6 and his pass-blocking grade climbed to 65.2.
Penn State is not just adding a veteran body. It is adding a player who appeared to trend upward before entering the transfer portal.
Buhr was also part of a productive Iowa State offense in 2025.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.The Cyclones averaged 150 rushing yards per game, and Buhr helped pave the way for Carson Hansen to earn second-team All-Big 12 honors. That connection matters, too, because Hansen also transferred to Penn State and gives the Nittany Lions a back who already knows what it feels like to run behind Buhr.
Before Iowa State
High school: Buhr played at Washington High School in Missouri, where he was a standout on both sides of the line. He was named the 2022 GAC Player of the Year and earned first-team all-state honors as both an offensive and defensive lineman.
As a senior, Buhr recorded 49 tackles, 10 sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception. As a junior, he posted 27 tackles and three sacks. As a sophomore, he had 32 tackles and three sacks. He also competed in wrestling.
Where he stands: Buhr enters Penn State at a fascinating time.
The Nittany Lions are rebuilding parts of their offensive line, and nothing about the starting five should feel automatic outside of Anthony Donkoh being a starter.
Buhr has experience at guard, where PFF charted most of his Iowa State snaps, and his pass protection history should give him a real chance to compete.
He won’t be the only transfer fighting for a role. Brock Riker, another experienced lineman, is in the mix at center, while Penn State also returns players such as Donkoh, Cooper Cousins and Dominic Rulli.
But Buhr has a case.
He has played meaningful snaps. He has started games. He has improved. He has worked in Campbell’s system before. And he arrives with the kind of physical background Penn State typically values up front.
Buhr should be in a battle with redshirt junior Chimdy Onoh for the starting left guard spot.
