Summer blockbusters have long dominated the box office. Few franchises captured that spirit better than Indiana Jones, where Harrison Ford was always chasing the next great treasure.
Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht enters the 2026 season on a similar mission that his prize isn’t hidden in an ancient temple. He’s hoping to help sophomore wide receiver Koby Howard become the Nittany Lions’ next 1,000-yard receiver.
“That guy is really special,” Becht said of Howard during Big Ten Media Days. “He did a lot of good things in spring ball and he’s probably going to do a lot of great things in fall camp and in the season for us. So, hopefully I can get him over 1,000 yards receiving, but something I’m looking forward to is just playing with him.”
If anyone understands what it takes to produce elite receivers, it’s Becht.
During his 2024 season at Iowa State, Becht threw to two 1,000-yard receivers in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, helping form one of the nation’s most productive passing attacks.
The Nittany Lions have never had two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season. In fact, the program has produced just seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons in its history, accomplished by only five players: Bobby Engram (1994, 1995), Allen Robinson (2012, 2013), Chris Godwin (2015), Jahan Dotson (2021) and Tyler Warren (2024) – with Dotson being the last wide receiver to achieve it.
The arrival of Becht and head coach Matt Campbell offers reason to believe that trend could change.
Campbell’s offenses at Iowa State produced five 1,000-yard receiving seasons, while seven of the Cyclones’ top 10 single-season receiving performances came during his tenure in Ames. His offenses have consistently featured receivers capable of making game-changing plays.
That should be encouraging for Howard, who enters his second season after spending much of his freshman year adjusting to the college game.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“It was difficult, I’m not gonna lie,” Howard told Lions247 in February. “But at the end of the day, now I’m able to do what I need to do, and I just got to capitalize on my opportunity that I have.”
Howard finished his freshman campaign with seven receptions for 133 yards, flashing his potential late in the season with key plays against Indiana and in Penn State’s Pinstripe Bowl victory over Clemson. According to Pro Football Focus, he also led Penn State wide receivers with a 78.5 drop grade, another sign of his natural hands despite limited opportunities.
Campbell has been equally impressed with Howard’s development since arriving in Happy Valley.
“I think Koby’s a young, talented football player,” Campbell said in May. “You knew that last year based on watching practice, the bowl game and some of his game reps toward the end of the season. Koby’s got great potential. His whole thing is consistency.”
Campbell believes Howard’s work ethic has positioned him to take the next step.
“He works really hard at his craft, which is awesome,” Campbell said. “Like any good young player, it’s about showing up consistently and doing all the little things well. We’re really grateful to have him back and certainly a young guy that we’ve got great expectations for moving forward.”
Howard still has to earn that breakout season on the field. But with an accomplished quarterback who has already helped produce multiple 1,000-yard receivers and a head coach whose offenses have consistently developed productive pass catchers, the pieces are in place.
Now, Becht and Howard will try to accomplish something Penn State’s offense has rarely seen — another 1,000-yard receiving season.
