2026 Penn State Football Depth Chart

Penn State’s fantasy outlook is defined by experienced transfers holding off high-upside young talent at key positions. New head coach Matt Campbell brought in his former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht to stabilize the offense, and Becht’s three years of starting experience under Campbell make him a clear QB1 with strong job security. While not an elite dual-threat, Becht’s familiarity with the system gives him a high floor. In the backfield, multi-year Cyclone starter Carson Hansen similarly earns the top spot after posting 952 rushing yards and six scores last season. Hansen’s proven production and physical running style (Campbell’s trusted “thunder” back) initially trump the flashier skill sets behind him. That said, talent is waiting in the wings: Ohio State transfer James Peoples was a top-10 RB recruit who averaged 5.6 yards a carry in limited action (344 yards and 3 TDs) for the Buckeyes. Peoples brings explosive burst and pass-catching ability as the lightning complement to Hansen’s power, making him a prime breakout candidate if given more touches. Likewise, former blue-chip recruit Quinton Martin Jr. offers a versatile blend of size and receiving savvy, and he turned heads with 103 yards on 20 carries in Penn State’s bowl game. Hansen’s track record keeps him narrowly ahead in this committee, but the gap could close quickly if Peoples’ playmaking or Martin’s all-around upside forces a re-balance.

The receiving corps also balances proven chemistry against untapped potential. Wideout Brett Eskildsen followed Campbell from Ames and was Iowa State’s top target with 526 yards and 5 TDs in 2025. His established timing with Becht and knack for finding the end zone give him an early edge as Penn State’s fantasy WR1. Fellow transfer Chase Sowell (500 yards, 2 TD) will start as a reliable possession option, but we slot him slightly behind sophomore Koby Howard in fantasy relevancy. While Sowell and Eskildsen combined for over 1,000 yards and seven scores last year, Howard may be the more dynamic weapon. After spending much of 2025 on the sidelines due to veteran transfers, Howard flashed deep-threat ability late in the year and immediately became a “must-retain” player for Campbell’s staff. He only logged seven catches, but his 19.0 yards per reception hinted at a high ceiling. If Howard capitalizes on a full-time role, he could emerge as the go-to target, so we’ve ranked him just behind the well-connected Eskildsen. Sowell’s familiarity and route-running keep him in the top three, but his fantasy ceiling appears a notch lower. Behind them, redshirt freshman Lyrick Samuel (6’4″) and sophomore Peter Gonzalez have drawn offseason buzz as potential contributors. Samuel offers a large catch radius and pedigree as a top-200 recruit, and Gonzalez — now healthy after a 2024 injury — brings a sturdy 6’2″ frame. They’ll battle for the WR4/WR5 spots and could see increased snaps if the starters stumble. Finally, transfer Keith Jones Jr. provides experienced depth after starting at FCS Grambling State; however, the jump in competition means he projects as WR6 until he proves otherwise. In all, Penn State’s passing game will likely funnel through the transplanted Cyclones early on, but there’s real upside if a talent like Howard breaks out.

At tight end, the Nittany Lions feature a one-two combo that should thrive in Campbell’s scheme. Incoming transfer Benjamin Brahmer has an inside track as TE1 after logging 75 receptions, 977 yards and nine TDs across three seasons at Iowa State. Brahmer is a field-stretching tight end who already knows the playbook and should step into a featured receiving role (especially in the red zone). Returnee Andrew Rappleyea will share the field in two-TE sets and could nearly split targets with Brahmer. Rappleyea came on strong late last year with 20 catches for 180 yards and three scores once given starter snaps, showcasing sure hands and route-running that make him more than a blocker. Brahmer’s proven production and rapport with the staff keep him in the top spot, but Rappleyea’s talent ensures a fairly even timeshare – both are draftable in fantasy where tight end depth matters. Finally, at kicker, Ryan Barker returns after a lights-out 2025 season (18-of-19 on FGs, long of 49). His consistency and range lock him in as K1, offering a stable kicking option on what should be a more productive offense under new leadership.