Thank God, the James Franklin plantation era is finally over! Replacing Franklin is Matt Campbell, who is the winningest coach in Iowa State history, including marks of 11-3 and 8-4 the past two seasons, while running one of the relatively White friendliest programs in the nation, one that featured roughly half White starters each year.
Perhaps the strongest indicator that Campbell is fair is how many of his players followed him to Penn State, including starting running back Carson Hansen. A White starting RB at Penn State, something that was unthinkable during Franklin’s tenure and even during Joe Paterno’s last two decades after he began “growing,” i.e., getting with the Caste program.
As someone who followed Penn State for many years when it had lots of topnotch White talent on both sides of the ball and who graduated from PSU in 1980, it’s encouraging to see the improvements already made in 2026 by Campbell. After averaging just 3 White starters during Franklin’s final five seasons, the Nittany Lions jump to 6 this season, all on offense, including a White RB and WR. And while that isn’t a large number, there are far more White backups than in previous years, indicating that as Franklin’s recruits graduate or move on (as many have), Penn State will continue to leave the dark days of Franklin’s plantation in the rearview mirror.
The official tally of White starters for Penn State since 2005 is 8, 10, 9, 8, 12, 10, 8, 10, 9, 10, 8, 8, 8, 6, 8, 5, 2, 4, 3, 4 and 3, with 6 this season.
Running back Carson Hansen comes to Penn State after two strong seasons with the Cyclones. In 2024 he ran for 752 yards on 151 carries (5.0 average) and 13 TDs, and followed that up last year with 188/952/6 and a 5.1 yards per carry average. He has excellent size at 6’ 2” and 215 pounds; what excuses will the NFL use to Caste him off if he has another strong season?
Brett Eskildsen starts at the Z receiver spot. He had 30 catches for 526 yards and 5 TDs last year for Iowa State, averaging an excellent 17.5 yards per reception. He has good NFL size at 6’ 0” and 200 pounds. He was a 100 meter sprinter at Centennial High School in Frisco, Texas and has an estimated 40 time in the 4.40 range, so he can motor. It wouldn’t be surprising if he goes under 4.40 at the Combine, if he’s invited of course, always an iffy proposition when it comes to overachievers.
Starting QB Rocco Becht is also an Iowa State transfer, where he started the past three seasons, putting up 9,209 passing yards with 64 TDs to just 26 interceptions. He’s 6’ 1” and 208 lbs.
Brock Riker starts at center and Cooper Cousins at right guard.
Andrew Rappleyea is the starting tight end.
There’s a refreshing amount of Whites on the two deep on offense, including QB Alex Manske (Iowa State transfer), LT Owen Aliciene, RG Will Tompkins (an Iowa State transfer), RT Garrett Sexton, TE Benjamin Brahmer (Iowa State transfer), and TE Gabe Burkle (you guessed it, an Iowa State transfer).
On defense, DE Alexander McPherson (a transfer from Deion’s Colorado plantation), LB Alex Tatsch, LB Caleb Bacon (had 68 tackles last year for Iowa State), and LB Cael Brezina (Iowa State) are backups.
I had no interest in my alma mater during Franklin’s tenure but will be following them this season with great interest.
QB: Rocco Becht, Alex Manske
LT: Owen Aliciene
C: Brock Riker
RG: Cooper Cousins, Will Tompkins
RT: Garrett Sexton
TE: Andrew Rappleyea, Benjamin Brahmer, Gabe Burkle
WR: Brett Eskildsen
RB: Carson Hansen
DE: Alexander McPherson
LB: Alex Tatsch, Caleb Bacon, Cael Brezina
Perhaps the strongest indicator that Campbell is fair is how many of his players followed him to Penn State, including starting running back Carson Hansen. A White starting RB at Penn State, something that was unthinkable during Franklin’s tenure and even during Joe Paterno’s last two decades after he began “growing,” i.e., getting with the Caste program.
As someone who followed Penn State for many years when it had lots of topnotch White talent on both sides of the ball and who graduated from PSU in 1980, it’s encouraging to see the improvements already made in 2026 by Campbell. After averaging just 3 White starters during Franklin’s final five seasons, the Nittany Lions jump to 6 this season, all on offense, including a White RB and WR. And while that isn’t a large number, there are far more White backups than in previous years, indicating that as Franklin’s recruits graduate or move on (as many have), Penn State will continue to leave the dark days of Franklin’s plantation in the rearview mirror.
The official tally of White starters for Penn State since 2005 is 8, 10, 9, 8, 12, 10, 8, 10, 9, 10, 8, 8, 8, 6, 8, 5, 2, 4, 3, 4 and 3, with 6 this season.
Running back Carson Hansen comes to Penn State after two strong seasons with the Cyclones. In 2024 he ran for 752 yards on 151 carries (5.0 average) and 13 TDs, and followed that up last year with 188/952/6 and a 5.1 yards per carry average. He has excellent size at 6’ 2” and 215 pounds; what excuses will the NFL use to Caste him off if he has another strong season?
Brett Eskildsen starts at the Z receiver spot. He had 30 catches for 526 yards and 5 TDs last year for Iowa State, averaging an excellent 17.5 yards per reception. He has good NFL size at 6’ 0” and 200 pounds. He was a 100 meter sprinter at Centennial High School in Frisco, Texas and has an estimated 40 time in the 4.40 range, so he can motor. It wouldn’t be surprising if he goes under 4.40 at the Combine, if he’s invited of course, always an iffy proposition when it comes to overachievers.
Starting QB Rocco Becht is also an Iowa State transfer, where he started the past three seasons, putting up 9,209 passing yards with 64 TDs to just 26 interceptions. He’s 6’ 1” and 208 lbs.
Brock Riker starts at center and Cooper Cousins at right guard.
Andrew Rappleyea is the starting tight end.
There’s a refreshing amount of Whites on the two deep on offense, including QB Alex Manske (Iowa State transfer), LT Owen Aliciene, RG Will Tompkins (an Iowa State transfer), RT Garrett Sexton, TE Benjamin Brahmer (Iowa State transfer), and TE Gabe Burkle (you guessed it, an Iowa State transfer).
On defense, DE Alexander McPherson (a transfer from Deion’s Colorado plantation), LB Alex Tatsch, LB Caleb Bacon (had 68 tackles last year for Iowa State), and LB Cael Brezina (Iowa State) are backups.
I had no interest in my alma mater during Franklin’s tenure but will be following them this season with great interest.
QB: Rocco Becht, Alex Manske
LT: Owen Aliciene
C: Brock Riker
RG: Cooper Cousins, Will Tompkins
RT: Garrett Sexton
TE: Andrew Rappleyea, Benjamin Brahmer, Gabe Burkle
WR: Brett Eskildsen
RB: Carson Hansen
DE: Alexander McPherson
LB: Alex Tatsch, Caleb Bacon, Cael Brezina
