Honestly, the air in State College feels different right now. It’s that weird mix of "new car smell" optimism and the lingering static of a chaotic 2025 breakup. If you’re looking for penn state football news today, you’ve probably noticed the dust is finally settling on the coaching search, but the roster is still very much a moving target.
January 16 marks the official closing of the winter transfer portal window. It’s the deadline. The buzzer. And for new head coach Matt Campbell, today isn't just about who he’s bringing in from Ames, Iowa—it’s about who he managed to talk out of leaving the 814.
The Matt Campbell Reconstruction Project
James Franklin is gone. He’s in Blacksburg now, reportedly busy flipping Penn State commits to Virginia Tech and scheduling VMI. Meanwhile, Matt Campbell has been tasked with cleaning up a program that went from a preseason No. 2 ranking to a 6-6 regular season faceplant.
It’s been a whirlwind. Campbell didn’t just bring his luggage; he brought half the depth chart from Iowa State. We’re talking about 22 former Cyclones now wearing the blue and white.
The biggest name? Rocco Becht.
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Having a quarterback who already knows the system is a massive cheat code for a first-year staff. Becht isn't just a "bridge" guy; he’s a proven winner who understands Taylor Mouser’s offensive wrinkles. Mouser, the new Offensive Coordinator, was the 2025 Football Scoop Tight Ends Coach of the Year. He’s young (34), he’s aggressive, and he’s basically Campbell’s right-hand man.
But let’s be real: Penn State fans are used to elite recruiting. Bringing in a fleet of Iowa State transfers is a polarizing move. Some see it as "Iowa State 2.0," while others realize that in 2026, you don't have time for a three-year rebuild. You need bodies who can play Big Ten football now.
Staying Put: The Retention Wins
While the transfers get the headlines, the real penn state football news today is about the guys who stayed. The "Stay-In-State" movement, if you want to call it that.
Losing linebacker Tony Rojas would have been a disaster. Period. Rojas and Amare Campbell are expected to be the heartbeat of D’Anton Lynn’s defense. Speaking of Lynn, the 36-year-old Defensive Coordinator coming over from USC is probably the most underrated hire on this staff. He turned a porous Trojan defense into something respectable in one year. Imagine what he can do with the raw tools in Happy Valley.
Zion Tracy’s announcement that he’s returning for 2026 is another huge "W." The secondary took some hits—A.J. Harris and Elliot Washington II both hopped into the portal—but keeping Tracy, Daryus Dixson, and Jahmir Joseph gives the Lions a foundation.
The NFL Draft Exodus
We have to talk about the departures. It’s a long list, and it hurts.
- Nick Dawkins (C): The literal center of the universe for this team. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft after being the only thing holding the locker room together during the 2025 collapse.
- Khalil Dinkins (TE): A legacy player who finished with 7 career touchdowns. He’s gone to the league.
- Dani Dennis-Sutton (DE): After a dominant Pinstripe Bowl performance against Clemson, nobody was surprised he went pro. He’s a first-round talent.
- Dom DeLuca (LB): The ultimate walk-on story. Three-time captain. 56 games. He’s testing the NFL waters, leaving a massive leadership void.
Vega Ioane also grabbed one of those "special eligibility" spots for the draft. When you lose your starting center and a guard like Ioane in the same window, the offensive line becomes a giant question mark. Ryan Clanton, the new O-line coach, has his work cut out for him.
Why Peyton Falzone is the "Unicorn"
Recruiting didn't stop because the head coach got fired. In fact, it got weirder.
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Peyton Falzone, the 2026 QB commit, is being called a "unicorn" by scouts. He’s a guy who committed, flipped to Auburn, then flipped back to Penn State on signing day. He’s 6-foot-5, athletic as hell, and some analysts think if he doesn't work out at QB, he’s an NFL-caliber tight end.
The Class of 2026 is currently sitting in a weird spot. James Franklin has been aggressive in poaching players he originally recruited to State College. Four-star LB Terry Wiggins and RB Messiah Mickens are already gone to Virginia Tech. It's a bitter pill for fans to swallow, watching the former coach "raid" the cupboards on his way out.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Transition
There’s this narrative that Penn State is "settling" with Matt Campbell because they couldn't land a "big fish" like Lincoln Riley or Lane Kiffin.
That’s a lazy take.
Campbell turned down big jobs for a decade. He’s a guy with deep Pennsylvania roots. He understands that Penn State isn't just a "job"—it’s a lifestyle. He’s also a developer. Look at what he did with Brock Purdy and Breece Hall at a school that has significantly fewer resources than PSU.
The concern shouldn't be his coaching; it should be the recruiting footprint. His staff is very "Midwest/Iowa" heavy. Can they win battles in Philly, Pittsburgh, and New Jersey? They kept Terry Smith (Associate HC/Corners) on staff, which was the smartest move Campbell made. Smith is the bridge to the local high schools. Without him, the transition would be a total blackout.
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Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're tracking penn state football news today to see where the program is headed, keep these three things in focus:
- Watch the Trenches: With Dawkins and Ioane gone, the Spring Game (whenever that gets scheduled) will be all about the offensive line. Keep an eye on Cooper Cousins; he’s the projected successor to Dawkins at center and has "future All-American" written all over him.
- The "Cyclonification" of the Offense: Don't expect the explosive, vertical game of years past. Campbell and Mouser run a system that relies on tight end usage and high-percentage throws. It’s methodical. It’s "boring" until it results in a 10-win season.
- The Portal Closes Tonight: By midnight, we’ll know exactly what the roster looks like for spring ball. Any last-minute entries from the current roster would be a sign of deeper locker room friction.
The rebuild is officially underway. It’s not going to be a "plug and play" situation like at Ohio State or Oregon. This is a floor-to-ceiling renovation, and today is the day the blueprints are finalized.
Stay tuned to the local beats, because with the portal closing, the "who's in and who's out" game is about to get its final tally for the winter.
Next Steps:
- Audit the final roster: Check the official Penn State Athletics site tomorrow morning for the final list of 2026 enrollees.
- Review the Schedule: Look at the non-conference slate. With the Big Ten's expansion and the coaching change, every early-season game now carries massive weight for Campbell's job security.
- Follow the Staff: Keep an eye on Terry Smith’s recruiting social media; his ability to retain the 2027 class during this 2026 chaos is the next big hurdle.