Iowa State Great Rocco Becht's Unconventional Path at Penn State Raises Questions About College Football's Academic Priorities

Former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht is taking an unusual route through his final year of college football eligibility at Penn State, and his situation highlights a growing debate about academic standards in the sport. After graduating from Iowa State in December 2025, Becht followed head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State, where he is enrolled in a graduate program while taking just one online class this fall.

Becht, who started 39 straight games for the Cyclones and finished his career with 9,274 passing yards and 64 touchdown passes, told reporters on August 20 that his academic load is minimal by design. The fifth-year senior is focused almost entirely on football as he prepares to lead the Nittany Lions.

What classes is Rocco Becht taking at Penn State?

Becht is enrolled in Penn State's Organization Development and Change graduate program, a legitimate 30-credit master's program focused on organizational development and workforce-related careers. He described his current coursework as leadership classes and small-group work.

For the fall semester, Becht admitted he does not even know what class he will be taking.

“I don't know what [class this fall], we haven't picked it yet,” Becht said. “We have to do that this coming week, with school starting next week. I'm in one class. I guess it's the perks of being graduated and being in a fifth year.”

Becht graduated from Iowa State with a degree in communication studies before transferring. He said the online class will earn him 12 credits toward a certificate, after which he can pursue his master's degree.

Why did Rocco Becht follow Matt Campbell to Penn State?

Becht has been clear that reuniting with Campbell, the coach who recruited him out of high school and developed him into a three-year starter, was the driving force behind his transfer.

“When Campbell took this job, this was probably the number one priority, that I wanted to come here and play for him for my fifth year,” Becht said earlier this year.

Becht becomes the first transfer quarterback to start for Penn State, which had relied on multi-year starters at the position for the previous five seasons. He also has something to prove after a 2025 season hampered by injuries, including a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder and an AC joint issue in his throwing arm. He still threw for 2,584 yards and 16 touchdowns, though those numbers fell short of his 2024 production of 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns.

What are the NCAA's academic requirements for athletes?

The NCAA requires Division I athletes to make progress toward a degree, but the bar is lower than a typical college workload. Athletes must earn at least six credits per term and reach 40%, 60%, and 80% degree-progress benchmarks before their third, fourth, and fifth years.

Once a player has finished most of his degree requirements, there is considerable room to make football the priority. Becht's situation is a clear example of that flexibility.

He is not alone. Former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred to Miami, said during the 2025 season that he was not taking classes after completing his degree. The trend has drawn concern from coaches and observers who worry about the long-term implications for student-athletes.

What concerns have coaches raised about transfers and degrees?

Oregon coach Dan Lanning has been among the most outspoken voices on the issue, particularly regarding players who transfer multiple times.

“One of the questions we have to ask ourselves is, at what point does the degree still matter?” Lanning told ESPN in 2024. “I think it's going to make it harder and harder if guys become multi-year transfer guys, actually, to have a college degree. If you graduate, there are a lot of times when it makes sense — change schools as many times as you want. But on the same note, if somebody's changing schools three times, I'm wondering what their progress towards a degree really looks like.”

The transfer portal has also created credit-transfer problems. Former Texas, USC, and Arizona State player Jake Smith once said 35% to 40% of his credits did not transfer when he changed schools. Players can move for playing time or money, only to discover their academic progress does not follow them.

What does Becht's situation say about the state of college football?

Becht's path is different from the multi-transfer cases that worry Lanning. He graduated from Iowa State before moving on, and he is legitimately enrolled in a graduate program. But his schedule, with one online class and football as the overwhelming priority, illustrates where the sport is heading.

With NIL money making staying in college more attractive and the transfer portal making movement easier, the incentive structure has shifted. Players can now treat their final seasons almost like professional contracts, with academics as a secondary consideration.

For Iowa fans watching from afar, Becht's situation is a reminder of how much the college game has changed. The quarterback who once led the Cyclones through 39 consecutive starts is now navigating a very different landscape, one where the classroom often takes a back seat to the field.

Becht's decision to follow Campbell and pursue his final season at Penn State is understandable from a football perspective. Whether the broader trend toward de-emphasizing academics is good for college athletics remains an open question, one that coaches, administrators, and policymakers will continue to debate.

Frequently asked questions about Rocco Becht's transfer and academics

Did Rocco Becht graduate from Iowa State?

Yes, Becht graduated from Iowa State in December 2025 with a degree in communication studies before transferring to Penn State for his final season of eligibility.

What graduate program is Becht enrolled in at Penn State?

Becht is enrolled in Penn State's Organization Development and Change graduate program, a 30-credit master's program. He will take one online class this fall and can earn a certificate before pursuing his master's degree.

Why did Becht leave Iowa State for Penn State?

Becht followed head coach Matt Campbell, who recruited him out of high school and coached him for three seasons at Iowa State. Becht has said playing for Campbell in his fifth year was his top priority.