This latest Penn State football team is, at the same time, one of the most experienced around and yet so unfamiliar and unpredictable.
It's a dynamic that helps make the 2026 season, which begins on Sept. 5 against Marshall in Beaver Stadium, so fascinating. While these Nittany Lions feature a large contingent of well-worn players, many starting their fourth, fifth or more seasons of college football, most will be new to the program.
Those two dozen transfers from Iowa State, the 50 new players in all. So first-year head coach Matt Campbell and company are finally in the last stages of not on-field preparation and design but also in the simple melding together of a team.
At least we have a clearer picture of who will be counted on as starters on offense and defense and who will be the top backups.
Check out our latest depth chart predictions and analysis below:
Penn State football 2026 depth chart: Quarterbacks
Starter: Rocco Becht, senior
Top backups:Alex Manske, freshman; Connor Barry, senior
Analysis: Becht is the most experienced quarterback in the nation and, maybe more importantly, a respected, critical leader for a growing team. The backup situation seems in good hands now that top prospect Alex Manske has been medically cleared — and has practiced superbly — following offseason open-heart surgery. Don't be surprised if the spotlight shines on Barry, a Division III All-American, at some point.
Running backs
Starter: Carson Hansen, senior
Top backups: James Peoples, junior; Quinton Martin, sophomore
Analysis: While Hansen is the dependable, expected starter, Peoples should deliver the flash and home-run play burst. Watch for Martin, though. He may be the most versatile athlete on the team and is a threat to take over the position as the season warms up.
Wide receivers
Starters: Chase Sowell, senior; Brett Eskildsen, junior; Koby Howard, sophomore
Top backups: Zay Robinson, freshman; Keith Jones, Jr., sophomore; Karon Brookins, freshman
Analysis: A promising combination of proven experience and rising, young talent hopes to break a three-year receiving drought. Though Sowell is the No. 1 key, all three expected starters offer big-play, downfield abilities.
Tight ends
Starter: Ben Brahmer, senior
Top backups: Andrew Rappleyea, junior; Gabe Burkle, senior; Cooper Alexander, sophomore; Finn Furmanek, junior; Brian Kortovich, freshman
Analysis: One of the deepest and most talented rooms is ready for a national breakout. They offer standout pass-catchers (Brahmer), formidable blockers (Burkle, Furmanek) and do-it-all types (Rappleyea). While Brahmer is an All-America candidate, the true success here will be judged on how the productivity is dispersed.
Offensive line
Starters: Brock Riker, center, sophomore; Trevor Buhr, left guard, junior; Cooper Cousins, right guard, junior; Malachi Goodman, left tackle, freshman; Anthony Donkoh, right tackle, junior
Top backups: Dom Rulli, center, senior; Vaea Ikakoula, left guard, freshman; Donnie Harbour, right guard, sophomore; Owen Aliciene, left tackle, freshman; Garrett Sexton, right tackle, sophomore
Analysis: This has the looks of a top-shelf line under new assistant Ryan Clanton, barring injuries. The key will be the quick development of second-year Goodman at left tackle. Beware: the backups offer little reliable game experience.
Defensive line
Starters: Siale Taupaki, defensive tackle, senior; Keanu Williams, defensive tackle, senior; Yvan Kemajou, defensive end, sophomore; Ike Ezeogu, defensive end, senior OR Max Granville, defensive end, sophomore
Top backups: Armstrong Nnodim, defensive tackle, sophomore; Ty Blanding, defensive tackle, junior; Caleb Bacon, defensive end, senior; Alexander McPherson, defensive end, sophomore
Analysis: An experienced, deep lineup despite the unproven pass-rushers. Who's played more than Taupaki (eighth college season) and Williams (sixth)? Granville's health and potential are key as is the early impact of Nnodim, who's made waves as the team's strongest and its biggest personality.
Linebackers
Starters: Tony Rojas, junior; Kooper Ebel, senior; Alex Tatsch, sophomore
Top backups: Bacon; Cael Brezina, junior; Cam Smith, freshman
Analysis: Rojas must earn his reputation as a big-play, game-breaker while returning from injury. Expect this group to play just two LBs in many alignments, opting for an extra defensive back.
Defensive backs
Starters: Daryus Dixson, cornerback, sophomore; Audavion Collins, cornerback, senior; Zion Tracy, cornerback, senior; Marcus Neal Jr., safety, senior; Jeremiah Cooper, safety, senior
Top backups: Jahmir Joseph, cornerback, freshman; Josiah Zayas, cornerback, freshman; Vabou Toure, safety, sophomore; Jamison Patton, safety, senior
Analysis: The best combination of experience and big-play talent on the roster. Cooper, who's returning from a 2025 injury, may be the most undervalued Nittany Lion, for now.
Specialists
Starters: Ryan Barker, kicker, junior; Nathan Tiyce, punter, sophomore; Zion Tracy, punt returner; Quinton Martin OR James Peoples, kickoff returner
Top backups: Matthew Parker, kicker, freshman; Lucas Tenbrock, punter, freshman; Zay Robinson, punt/kickoff returner, freshman; Howard, punt returner, sophomore
Analysis: Barker is one of the best placekickers in the Big Ten, but who will handle kickoffs? Maybe Tiyce, a 6-foot-5 transfer punter. The return game has plenty of options though Tracy and Martin should get the first shots as game-changers.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football, Matt Campbell depth chart predictions vs Marshall