Iowa Native Rocco Becht Leads Penn State Into 2026 Season After Shoulder Surgery, Muscle Gains

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Former Iowa prep star and current Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht has transformed his body this offseason following shoulder surgery, emerging as a leaner, stronger leader for the Nittany Lions as they prepare for the 2026 season. Head coach Matt Campbell, who previously built a powerhouse at Iowa State, is seeing his new team come together during training camp ahead of the Sept. 5 opener against Marshall.

Becht, a native of Waukee, Iowa, underwent surgery after last season and has since shed body fat while adding four pounds of muscle, maintaining his weight at 208 pounds. Quarterbacks coach Jake Waters called the change a “huge, huge change” for the signal-caller, noting improvements in footwork and overall explosiveness.

“This is the best I've seen Rocco Becht's body look since I've been with him,” Waters said. “He's lost some body fat and put on lean muscle. It's a huge, huge change for him, and he feels great. He's fast. He feels really good.”

Becht’s Recovery and Training Regimen

Becht credited a tailored nutrition and strength program for his physical turnaround. He focused on building muscle in his upper body, shoulders, and legs while working with Florida-based quarterback coach Will Hewlett, who also trains San Francisco 49ers star Brock Purdy. The goal was to increase throwing velocity without straining his surgically repaired shoulder.

“After you get injured and get surgery, your body isn't going to look the best,” Becht said. “But that also gives you a restart button. I got with the nutrition staff, put together a good diet and continued to put on muscle in areas where I needed it.”

Becht added: “That was the biggest thing I went down there to work on, and I feel a big difference. These past two days [in camp], it's felt great.”

Iowa State Transfer Brett Eskildsen Emerges as Deep Threat

One of the standout moments of Penn State’s second practice came from wide receiver Brett Eskildsen, who transferred from Iowa State alongside Campbell. Eskildsen made a one-handed catch against cornerback Audavion Collins on a deep pass from Becht, drawing praise from both the quarterback and head coach.

Campbell called Eskildsen and Collins two of the team’s fastest players, clocking speeds over 23.5 miles per hour. Becht described the grab as an “amazing one-handed catch in great coverage” that set an early tone for the receiving corps.

“Eskildsen had some great production as a true freshman on an 11-win team [at Iowa State in 2024],” Campbell said. “Man, he wins us the Cincinnati game with five huge catches, while [Jayden] Higgins and [Jaylin Noel] are getting double-teamed the entire game. He broke onto the scene, and last year you kind of saw him take the next step.”

Penn State Loaded at Tight End

Campbell plans to feature two-tight end sets as a base formation this season, thanks to a deep and talented room. Ben Brahmer, the highest-ranked transfer in Penn State’s 40-player class, leads the group. Andrew Rappleyea is healthy after missing spring drills, and Gabe Burkle is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a 2025 ACL tear.

“I think we'd be disappointed if it's not,” Campbell said when asked if 12 personnel would be a primary formation. “You could challenge [that] 13 personnel [could be] the home base at times.”

He added: “One of the things that we're really excited about first, obviously, is keeping [Rappleyea] home. It's been great for us to see Rapp fully healthy. I think this is the healthiest Andrew Rappleyea we've seen or got the ability to evaluate.”

Cooper Alexander also impressed during spring and summer, giving Penn State a versatile option that can create matchup problems.

Caleb Bacon Moves to Defensive End

Fifth-year senior linebacker Caleb Bacon has been practicing exclusively with defensive ends early in camp. Though he played middle linebacker at Iowa State, Bacon took about 50 percent of his snaps at the line of scrimmage. With Penn State shifting to a 4-2-5 defense, his edge skills are in high demand.

Bacon recorded 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks last season for the Cyclones. He said he is “super comfortable” playing on the edge.

“We felt like we gave him so many reps at linebacker, we'd be missing the boat not to start him off in fall camp on the edge,” Campbell said.

Penn State opens the season at home against Marshall on Sept. 5. The Nittany Lions are expected to contend for a Big Ten title under Campbell’s leadership.