The transformation of the Penn State football roster under new head coach Matt Campbell is now, essentially, complete. As the transfer window closed, Penn State officially welcomed a grand total of 39 players coming to the program from the transfer portal, with a good number of those players following Campbell from Iowa State. Penn State also officially welcomed 11 players in its Class of 2026 as early-enrollees for the spring semester.
Penn State’s roster will have immediate roles for former Iowa State players like quarterback Rocco Becht, tight end Benjamin Bahmer, running back Carson Hansen, and defensive back Marcus Neal Jr. Penn State also welcomes new additions from Ohio State (running back James Peoples) and West Virginia (linebacker Chris Fileppo), among the large transfer class.
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The transfer window officially closed on Friday, January 16. However, the transfer window can still open for players competing in the national championship game (Indiana and Miami) once the title game is played, and for any program that may still see a coaching change. But for now, it seems Penn State’s transfer portal activity is largely done.
Penn State signed two players in the early signing period on the recruiting calendar with defensive lineman Jackson Ford and quarterback Peyton Falzone. The Nittany Lions then worked on flipping a number of players who had committed to or signed with Iowa State in the early signing period. Among the flips from Campbell’s recruiting efforts for the Cyclones were offensive lineman Mason Bandhauer, quarterback Kase Evans, and athlete Amarion Jackson.
Penn State still has a few players who have yet to enroll but are committed to the program. There are still some players from Penn State’s roster who entered the transfer portal who have yet to be reported to make any moves.
Of course, as expected, Penn State saw a number of its players from last year’s roster make a transfer portal move to follow former head coach James Franklin to Virginia Tech, similar to Campbell’s former players following him from Iowa State.
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What’s next for Penn State?
The traditional recruiting signing period will open up in a few weeks. Players can resume signing with their colleges of choice beginning on February 4. Penn State will hope to add to its Class of 2026 to fill out its roster for Campbell’s first season while focusing its recruiting energy on the next recruiting cycle for the Class of 2027 as well.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State officially welcomes 50 players in massive roster overhaul
