Penn State Nittany Lions
89
88
OFF
88
DEF
Contender
Matchup
Big Ten7-6 (2025)#17 '26 Coaches#65 Recruiting8% Returning
Depth Chart· Updated Aug 17, 2026· Two-deep · Public sources
QB
  1. 3
    91
    Rocco BechtRS SR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 7
    68
    Alex ManskeRS FR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 10
    66
    Connor BarryRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
RB
  1. 21
    91
    Carson HansenSR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 1
    81
    James PeoplesJR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 25
    65
    Quinton Martin Jr.RS SO
WR-X
  1. 0
    90
    Chase SowellRS SR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 8
    79
    Karon BrookinsRS FR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 7
    66
    Peter GonzalezRS SO
WR-Z
  1. 4
    91
    Brett EskildsenJR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 11
    79
    Lyrick SamuelRS FR
  3. 19
    62
    Amarion JacksonFR
WR-F
  1. 6
    79
    Koby HowardSO
    Starter
  2. 2
    79
    Zay RobinsonRS FR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 15
    72
    Keith Jones Jr.RS SO/TR
    TRANSFER
TE
  1. 87
    85
    Andrew RappleyeaRS JR
    Starter
  2. 18
    85
    Benjamin BrahmerSR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 84
    74
    Gabe BurkleRS SR/TR
    TRANSFER
LT
  1. 78
    85
    Malachi GoodmanRS FR
    Starter
  2. 77
    79
    Owen AlicieneRS FR
  3. 74
    73
    Kuol Kuol IIRS FR/TR
    TRANSFER
LG
  1. 70
    85
    Trevor BuhrRS JR/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 55
    79
    Chimdy OnohRS JR
  3. 79
    73
    Donnie HarbourRS SO
C
  1. 51
    85
    Brock RikerRS SO/TR
    StarterTRANSFER
  2. 54
    79
    Vaea IkakoulaRS FR/TR
    TRANSFER
  3. 52
    62
    Dominic RulliRS SR
RG
  1. 50
    85
    Cooper CousinsJR
    Starter
  2. 66
    79
    Will TompkinsRS FR/TR
    TRANSFER
RT
  1. 68
    85
    Anthony DonkohRS JR
    Starter
  2. 71
    79
    Garrett SextonRS SO
2026 Schedule

0 games

Tap any game for the matchup breakdown — history, projection, and a simulated result.

Team Analysis
WHY #17 IN WS POWER

2025 SP+: 18.1 → 16.4 after regression

65%

Roster talent: 93rd percentile

18%

Recruiting class: #65 national

16%

Returning production: 8%

4%

Preseason blend — SP+ weight rises when 2026 numbers publish (Aug). How we rank · not a betting line.

Portal

30 adds in two-deep · avg 83 OVR · top add: B. Eskildsen (WR, 91, from Iowa State)

Camp battles to watch2
Coach Penn StateTake them from week one to the natty. You call every play.

Updated Aug 17, 2026 · Data from public sources

Who starts for Penn State?

Penn State Nittany Lions starting lineup

Rocco Becht is the projected starting quarterback for Penn State as of August 17, 2026. Alex Manske is listed second.

Penn State also projects Carson Hansen at running back, Chase Sowell at wide receiver and Andrew Rappleyea at tight end.

The full Penn State Nittany Lions two-deep was last updated August 17, 2026. Preseason depth charts are projections and change through fall camp.

Rocco Becht · QBCarson Hansen · RBChase Sowell · WR-XAndrew Rappleyea · TE

Common questions

Who is Penn State's starting quarterback?
Rocco Becht is the projected starting quarterback for Penn State as of August 17, 2026. Alex Manske is listed second.
Who starts at running back for Penn State?
Carson Hansen is the projected starter at running back for Penn State, with James Peoples listed second.
Who starts at wide receiver for Penn State?
Chase Sowell is the projected starter at wide receiver for Penn State, with Karon Brookins listed second.
Who starts at tight end for Penn State?
Andrew Rappleyea is the projected starter at tight end for Penn State, with Benjamin Brahmer listed second.
When was the Penn State Nittany Lions depth chart last updated?
The Penn State Nittany Lions depth chart on Who's Starting was last updated August 17, 2026. It refreshes daily through the season.
What was Penn State's record last season?
Penn State Nittany Lions finished 7-6 (3-6 in Big Ten play).