The transfer portal doesn’t open until January 2nd, but a number of players have put out statements outlining their intentions to enter it when they are able. Well, you can add Iowa State quarterback Rocco
Becht to that list, as the Cyclone QB released a statement earlier today announcing he’ll be entering the portal in the new year.
Becht was a three-year starter for the Cyclones, going 26-13 during his tenure as the starting the QB. He finishes his Iowa State career with 9,274 passing yards, 64 passing TDs, 499 rushing yards, and 19 rushing TDs, and will now look to build on those stats at a new program in 2026. Could that be Penn State? While Becht is expected to take a look at all his options, Matt Campbell and the Nittany Lions are the “early team” to watch, according to Chris Hummer of 247Sports.
Penn State fans are surely to have mixed feelings on Becht given what rising redshirt sophomore Ethan Grunkemeyer showed down the stretch for the Nittany Lions. While Grunk didn’t have Kliff Kingsbury-esque numbers during his six starts, he proved to be a very solid quarterback who controlled the offense and made plays when Penn State needed him to. After the Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana stretch, Grunk showed uber-efficiency during the last three games of the year, completing 78.2% of his passes and throwing 4 touchdowns to no interceptions against Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers.
Even with Grunk’s encouraging play and being someone that has three seasons of eligibility remaining, it’s difficult to see a scenario where Campbell wouldn’t prefer Becht for 2026. Like I really think it’s as simple as when it comes to installing an offense and a culture, why wouldn’t Campbell prefer his senior quarterback and multi-time captain to lead the program? Whether that’s the *right* move, I have no idea, but I think it’s pretty obvious Penn State and Campbell will push extremely hard for Becht to come to Happy Valley.
