Iowa State Cyclones Wide Receiver Gives Penn State Nittany Lions More Explosiveness

Another Iowa State Cyclones player has announced he is following Matt Campbell to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Iowa State Cyclones' wide receiver Brett Eskildsen (9) celebrates after score a touchdown against Kansas during the third quarter in the senior day on Nov. 22, 2025, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When Matt Campbell announced that he was leaving the Iowa State Cyclones after 10 years at the helm, fans were disappointed. He had done a wonderful job of creating a strong culture in Ames, turning the football program into a respectable team.

All good things come to an end, and for Iowa State, it was the Campbell era in early December. He was replaced a few hours later by Jimmy Rogers, formerly of the Washington State Cougars, who has some big shoes to fill.

Losing their beloved head coach was bad enough. But that was just the start of the disappointment for the fan base that would have to go through players leaving the program as well.

More salt would be rubbed in their wounds when those players they cheered on were announcing, one by one, that they would not be returning. More than 50 players announced they were heading to the transfer portal.

Brett Eskildsen leaving Iowa State for Penn State

Sep 27, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Brett Eskildsen (9) catches a pass against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. | Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

At the very least, none of the players have committed to rival programs. In fact, some Iowa State backers might enjoy watching so many former players following Campbell to Penn State to have another team to root for.

The latest player to share that they will be suiting up for the Nittany Lions is wide receiver Brett Eskildsen. A big play machine, he will provide his new program with dynamic playmaking in the passing game.

BREAKING: Iowa State transfer WR Brett Eskildsen has Committed to Penn State, he tells @On3Sports

This season he totaled 30 receptions for 526 yards and 5 TDs

He’ll have 2 years of eligiblity left https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/VTWDtwEPSd

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 4, 2026

He had a breakout campaign in 2025 as one of Rocco Becht’s favorite targets through the air. His 17.5 yards per reception were the most on the team, as were his 526 receiving yards. 30 receptions were third, while his five touchdowns were good for the second most.

All of those numbers were career highs for Eskildsen, who is a rising sophomore and will have two years of eligibility remaining. He was one of the higher-rated players in the portal, coming in at No. 32 amongst players at his position and No. 179 overall, per Rivals.

Penn State was the only visit that Eskildsen took. While transferring would normally be a difficult thing for players, the transition to the Nittany Lions will be much easier for the talented wide receiver because of how much continuity there will be.

Let’s do it! 🦁💙 #WEARE #AGTG pic.twitter.com/plCOQ0avJj

— Brett Eskildsen (@EskildsenBrett) January 4, 2026

Campbell, offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser and wide receivers coach Noah Pauley are all on staff with the Nittany Lions. Becht is the starting quarterback, Alex Manske will be his backup and tight end Benjamin Brahmer is going to be there as well.

All in all, Eskildsen is one of 11 former Iowa State players heading to Happy Valley.