Penn State Football Camp Winners: Becht, Goodman, and More Shine Ahead of Opener

Penn State head coach Matt Campbell says the Nittany Lions are still 'working through a lot' less than two weeks before the season opener against Marshall. But after a productive training camp that merged two rosters into one, a clearer picture is emerging of who will lead when Penn State hosts the Thundering Herd on Sept. 5 at Beaver Stadium.

From quarterback Rocco Becht to a pair of UCLA transfer defensive tackles, several players have separated themselves during camp. Here's a look at the biggest standouts and what their rise means for the program.

Quarterback Rocco Becht: A Transformed Leader

Becht enters his final college season in a much different and improved spot than he was during the spring. Part of that stems from Alex Manske's healthy return from spring heart surgery. But it also builds on Becht's notable physical and technical changes.

Those who played with and coached Becht at Iowa State say he looks transformed this August. He added muscle and lowered his body fat during the summer, trained with Brock Purdy's quarterbacks coach in Florida, and is putting everything together for one final run.

'Rocco's in a completely different space than I've seen him really in his career,' Campbell said. 'I hate to use the word flawless, but he's played at an elite clip every day [in camp].'

Left Tackle Malachi Goodman: Building Chemistry Fast

Goodman, possibly Penn State's most talented offensive lineman, has made a strong push to win the starting left tackle job. Campbell spent early camp prodding the redshirt freshman for more consistency, but Goodman has responded.

Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said Goodman and left guard Trevor Buhr have developed a natural rapport quicker than expected.

'It feels like Trevor and Malachi, for being an older guy and a younger guy, played together for a long time,' Mouser said.

Running Back James Peoples: Big-Play Potential on Display

Campbell pursued Peoples from Ohio State to add a big-play back alongside projected starter Carson Hansen. With Hansen briefly out during camp, Peoples seized the extra reps.

In Penn State's first scrimmage, Peoples scored on a touchdown reception. Mouser also noted two key blocks in pass-blitz situations that led to explosive plays. Running backs coach Savon Huggins stressed two factors for playing time: protecting the ball and protecting the quarterback. Peoples has done both while showing his unique explosiveness.

Receiver Chase Sowell: Finding His Stride at the Right Time

Sowell, a fifth-year senior at his fourth school, is having a much different camp than last year at Iowa State, where an injury derailed a hot start. This season, he started slower but has hit his stride in the past week.

'I think Chase started slow, and then he had a phenomenal day on Saturday [in Penn State's second scrimmage],' Campbell said. 'He had an unbelievable day again [Tuesday]. I think he's got great momentum.'

Sowell's momentum is critical. Penn State has a high ceiling at receiver with Brett Eskildsen, Koby Howard, and Zay Robinson, but Sowell provides the veteran presence who gets open consistently and makes life easier for Becht across the middle.

Cornerback Audavion Collins: A Shutdown Presence

Collins, a fifth-year cornerback, could become the most prized player in Campbell's retention class. He has earned consistent praise from both offensive and defensive coaches for his daily work.

Mouser joked that Collins is 'always in my face, 24/7,' especially in 11-on-11 drills. Collins gives defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn the trustworthy man-coverage cornerback every good secondary needs.

'I think AC has been lights out,' Campbell said. 'Man, what he practices like, what he plays like, the consistency that he has given us, just in general as a football team, has been remarkable.'

Linebacker Kooper Ebel: The Center of the Defense

Ebel will wear the green dot and headset as Penn State's middle linebacker, receiving calls from Lynn just as he did at Iowa State. Though Campbell said Ebel has been 'working through stuff' in camp, he has been quietly consistent.

As a junior, Ebel tied for Iowa State's team lead with 77 tackles. In Penn State's 4-2-5 defense, he will play a huge role in directing traffic and making stops. The Nittany Lions have also seen development from returner Cam Smith and Iowa State transfer Cael Brezina, whom Campbell said is playing the best football of his career.

Defensive Tackles Siale Taupaki and Keanu Williams: Anchoring the Interior

Big news up front from the big men. Campbell said Taupaki and Williams, both UCLA transfers, had a 'remarkable last eight days of practice.' That's critical, as defensive tackle was a key position Penn State overhauled in the offseason.

Penn State needs Taupaki (6-4, 326) and Williams (6-5, 317) to be the line-busting interior presences Lynn's defense demands. Defensively, no two players are more important to a late-camp surge than these two.

What This Means for the Season Opener

With the Sept. 5 opener against Marshall approaching, Penn State's camp standouts are positioned to make an immediate impact. Becht's leadership, Goodman's emergence, Peoples' explosiveness, Sowell's consistency, Collins' coverage skills, Ebel's direction, and the defensive tackles' push all point to a team ready to compete.

Campbell and his staff have blended the two rosters into a cohesive unit. The question now is how quickly these standouts translate camp success into game-day production when the Nittany Lions take the field at Beaver Stadium.