Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht entered the transfer portal just over a week ago.
The announcement came shortly after longtime head coach Matt Campbell accepted the Penn State job, sparking immediate speculation about a potential reunion.
Pete Nakos of On3 confirmed the buzz by reporting that Penn State is the “clear school to watch” for Becht’s next move.
Below, we break down the top transfer portal destinations for the senior quarterback and explore which programs make the most sense for his final landing spot.
Penn State Offers Reunion With Matt Campbell
Campbell will have an interesting decision to make at quarterback.
Becht to Penn State seems like a match made in heaven but there’s a chance that both sides are looking for a fresh start.
Together, Campbell and Becht went 26-13 at Iowa State, including an 11-win season in 2023. However, Becht was far from perfect during that span, throwing 26 interceptions over the past three seasons while compiling a 5-5 record in starts against ranked opponents.
Campbell could decide to see what he has in freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, who led the Nittany Lions to four consecutive wins, including a Pinstripe Bowl victory, after taking over the starting job from Drew Allar.
Grunkenmeyer was immediately thrown into the fire with his first three starts coming against Iowa, No. 1 Ohio State, and No. 2 Indiana. Grunkenmeyer nearly pulled off upsets in two of those games, losing by four combined points against the Hawkeyes and Hoosiers.
Then, there’s the question of health. Becht played most of the season with a partially torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder and an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder.
If Becht decides to go to Happy Valley, it could create a high-stakes quarterback battle that could define the Nittany Lions’ 2026 season and alter his chances at making the NFL.
Curt Cignetti Has A Reputation For Maximizing Talent At Indiana
The “Cignetti Effect” is no longer a secret.
After leading Indiana to a historic 13-0 start and the No. 1 seed in the 2025 College Football Playoff, Curt Cignetti has proven he can maximize quarterback talent.
First, it was Kurtis Rourke; then, Fernando Mendoza, who went from a Cal transfer to a Heisman Trophy winner and the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With Mendoza off to the pros, the Hoosiers have a massive void under center.
While Bloomington has been linked to Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby, Becht represents a different kind of prize: a veteran with 26 career wins, the most of any active QB entering 2026.
Cignetti’s RPO-heavy system thrives on quick processing and accuracy, traits Becht has shown in flashes, even during his injury-riddled 2025 campaign.
If Becht wants to maximize his draft stock the way Mendoza did, there isn’t a better developmental track in the country right now than the one Mike Shanahan and Cignetti have built in the Big Ten.
Florida Is Looking To Replace DJ Lagway
The Jon Sumrall era in Gainesville begins with a significant hurdle: replacing five-star quarterback DJ Lagway.
Lagway entered the portal after a disappointing sophomore season and Billy Napier’s firing, leaving the Gators in need of a proven presence in the pocket.
Sumrall, who arrives after a successful stint at Tulane, is expected to look for a “win-now” veteran to bridge the gap while he reshapes the roster.
Florida has been linked to Georgia Tech’s Aaron Philo, but Becht offers a much higher floor.
For a program that has lacked consistent, durable quarterback play for years, Becht’s experience in high-pressure Big 12 environments makes him an attractive target.
The question is whether Becht, a Florida native, wants to return home to lead a rebuild or stay in the hunt for a conference title elsewhere.
Lane Kiffin Is In The Market For An Experienced QB
Becht would be a fascinating fit for the high-octane system Kiffin is bringing to Death Valley.
While the “Portal King” is moving to a talent-rich program, he isn’t expected to abandon his aggressive approach, especially when it comes to replacing departing QB Garrett Nussmeier.
Kiffin has a storied history of taking experienced transfers (most notably Jaxson Dart) and turning them into elite processors within his vertical-choice offense. LSU already has freshman Colin Hurley and redshirt sophomore Rickie Collins, but Kiffin’s debut in the Bayou comes with “National Championship or bust” expectations.
Bringing in a veteran like Becht, who has 39 starts under his belt, aligns perfectly with Kiffin’s desire to win big in Year 1.
Becht has already proven he can win games with his arm, but under Kiffin’s tutelage, he could potentially turn into the elite distributor that NFL scouts have been waiting to see.
