The Penn State Football Position Group That Changed Most During Training Camp

The Nittany Lions are in a much different spot at quarterback than they were during spring practice.

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht goes through a throwing drill at practice at Holuba Hall. | Mark Wogenrich | Penn State On SI

Penn State began spring drills with a quarterbacks room around which the coaches tiptoed. Head coach Matt Campbell knew thati in April, when he called the position "interesting right now, to say the least."

Four months later, the Nittany Lions still have an interesting quarterbacks room, though for different reasons. The position has undergone deep change during training camp, both from a physical and psychological perspective.

In the spring, Penn State had five-ish healthy quarterbacks, including a starter coming off shoulder surgery, a Division III transfer, two true freshmen and a walk-on. Now, the Nittany Lions have five healthy quarterbacks, including a starter who looks better than ever and a backup who the Campbell called a "miracle." Meanwhile, one of those freshman quarterbacks is now playing tight end.

Those are major swings in just a few months, but Penn State's quarterbacks room is in a much better spot than where it was in March.

Rocco Becht's "elite" camp

"We've been developing an offense around Rocco Becht and he's so special..

We're building a great foundation as we get ready for the season" ~ @CoachMC_PSU #PMSLive https://t.co/Fa8Goj20GB pic.twitter.com/a6hQ5BsfXo

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 21, 2026

The coaches and players who knew Rocco Becht at Iowa State say he looks completely different at Penn State. Becht trained this summer to be more resilient after having offseason surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder.

He worked with a Florida quarterbacks coach who also trains San Francisco's Brock Purdy in zeroing in on his accuracy details, beginning with his footwork. And he threw OTAs on campus with receivers Koby Howard, Zay Robinson, Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen to build trust with the group.

All that led Campbell to say that Becht has been playing at an "elite clip" in camp this summer.

"Rocco’s in a completely different space than I’ve seen him really in his career," Campbell said after practice as Penn State began Week 3 of camp. "[He's a] guy who’s already gone through the highs of college football and the lows of college football. He's been in the same system now for a fifth year.

"I hate to use the word flawless, but he's played at an elite clip every day. He's had a great command of situational football, had a great command of what we're trying to accomplish offensively. But the biggest thing that a great quarterback does is, he leads the team."

Alex Manske's "miracle" return

Penn State coach Matt Campbell on QB Alex Manske's two-year journey through elbow surgery, heart surgery and his return to football.

"It's a miracle, it's a blessing and we're all really grateful."https://t.co/GegjxtOApL
🎥Penn State Athletics pic.twitter.com/538oJPrn4E

— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) August 20, 2026

Manske left Penn State in February, while the team was in winter workouts, to deal with a major health issue. He had been diagnosed with a dilated aortic root that required surgery. A week before Penn State began spring drills, Manske was at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota having open-heart surgery.

Penn State initially didn't even consider the possibility that Manske, a redshirt freshman who transferred from Iowa State, would return this season. But the surgery was successful, Manske was back in State College in late April and throwing again by mid-June.

Now, he has established himself as the No. 2 quarterback behind Becht and could see action during Penn State's non-conference schedule. The 6-3, 217-pound Manske has thrown the ball exceptionally well during camp and has exhibited no signs of post-surgery stress. In fact, quarterbacks coach Jake Waters said that Manske has asked to be hit in the chest during camp.

"It's a miracle, it's a blessing and we're all really grateful," Campbell said.

Connor Barry settles in at No. 3

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Connor Barry (17) lines up in the backfield during practice at Beaver Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Penn State received a commitment from Barry, who played Division III football the past three years, before Manske's diagnosis. Barry went from Christopher Newport's starter to Penn State's de facto backup in a matter of weeks.

Barry actually was one of the best quarterbacks in Division III last season. He was a second-team All-American and became Christopher Newport's first semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, given annually to the nation's top Division III player. Barry also led Christopher Newport to a 10-0 record, the program's first undefeated season in history.

Penn State brought him in to be a depth player, to which Barry agreed without hesitation. Waters said motivating Barry hasn't been difficult, even after Manske's return.

"Not with a guy like Connor, who just loves football and wanted to play here and have an opportunity to play at the highest level," Waters said. "He's motivated every day and he loves it here. We love having him, and he's getting a ton of reps, too. He's still competing every single day with Alex and Rocco."

A freshman quarterback changes positions

First look at new Penn State tight end Peyton Falzone running through a drill with posititon coach Taylor Mouser.

Fellow TE Ben Brahmer called Falzone the fastest player in the position room. pic.twitter.com/9JnuGeSN6U

— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) August 17, 2026

Penn State is down to one freshman quarterback in Kase Evans, who signed with Iowa State in December but moved with Campbell and his staff. Evans is a 6-3, 197-pound quarterback from Texas who threw for more than 11,000 yards in high school.

His 2026 recruiting classmate Peyton Falzone moved to tight end a week into training camp. Penn State was reluctant to make the move last spring with Manske's status uncertain, but Campbell said that Falzone has shown promise at his new position.

Falzone is still learning a position he never played, and it will take time, perhaps more than one season. But so far, the former quarterback has made the most of his new position.

"You just want to see what guys can do, and Peyton stood out," Campbell said. "... Man, this guy’s got so much athleticism, is there more that we can do early on that he can maybe help our football team out, somehow, some way?"

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