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Penn State football is halfway through its first spring practice sessions under head coach Matt Campbell and staff.
The Blue-White "practice" for fans in Beaver Stadium is only two weeks away.
Campbell and company are bringing together a Penn State roster unlike any other for the 2026 season with more than 50 new players, nearly half of those transfers from Iowa State.
And, like usual, several key players are limited or not participating in these 15 spring practices because of injuries and offseason recovery and rehab.
So who are the Nittany Lions, who have shined, even surprised, so far this spring? Here are five Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser talked about Thursday after practice in State College:
Penn State redshirt sophomore Quinton Martin is trying to carve out a role among another crowded running back room that includes promising transfers from Iowa State (Carson Hansen) and Ohio State (James Peoples).
Of course, Martin is attempting to build off his career-best performance in last December's Pinstripe Bowl victory.
"It would have been really easy for that guy, with the transfers we’ve brought in here, to feel sorry for himself or think he’s being cheated, and he hasn’t at all," Mouser said. "He's going to be a guy we find ways to get the ball to any way that we can."
Kobe Howard appears to have impressed his new coaching staff after a strong rookie start in 2025 (seven catches, 133 yards, 19.1 average).
He's taken a prime role in spring workouts with Iowa State transfers Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen slowed by injury recovery.
"Kobe, he’s a guy who’s work ethic challenges everybody in the room. He’s a guy who never leaves the JUGS machine, he’s a guy who’s around the facility all the time, he’s a guy who’s asking me questions," Mouser said. "And when you prepare like that it forces everyone else to prepare or you stand out.
"He’s come in and tried to outwork everybody in the building at the same time."
Brock Ricker is the intriguing redshirt sophomore who started every game at center at Texas State last year and did not allow a sack.
Riker is taking most of the first-team work in spring while returning senior Dom Rulli recovers from injury.
"That guy’s probably been one of the biggest surprises to me," Mouser said of Riker "(The center's) ability to get it started, that’s always been the engine that’s run our offense. Whenever we have a really good center the offense has been good. Riker has the brains to be able to do that. ... He's going to be the glue to it all."
Riker arrived at Penn State at 270 pounds, is up to about 290 and could play the season at 305, said Campbell, who touted Riker's background as a standout wrestler and powerlifter in high school.
The Division III All-American quarterback has shined leading the offense, especially while expected starter Rocco Becht and talented backup Alex Manske deal with injury recoveries.
Barry is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior from Christopher Newport University in Virginia.
"I’ve been really impressed with what he’s been able to do ...," Mouser said. That guy’s come in and been confident and done a really good job."
Said tight end Ben Brahmer: “He knows how to work coming from a Division III school, and he can sling the rock. So, it’s fun playing for him."
The arm strength? "He can throw the ball downfield," Brahmer added. "He's ripped a couple of deep balls for 60, 70 yards."
Amarion Jackson (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) is a true freshman and former Iowa State recruit who followed Campbell to State College.
The Nebraska native started his college career at safety before quickly moving to receiver.
"A guy who’s skyrocketed up the depth chart, already," Mouser said. "From being a guy who I expected to come in here and, not struggle, but just be a little bit green. And he’s been on."
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: 5 Penn State football spring practice standouts for Matt Campbell
Continue reading...
The Blue-White "practice" for fans in Beaver Stadium is only two weeks away.
Campbell and company are bringing together a Penn State roster unlike any other for the 2026 season with more than 50 new players, nearly half of those transfers from Iowa State.
And, like usual, several key players are limited or not participating in these 15 spring practices because of injuries and offseason recovery and rehab.
So who are the Nittany Lions, who have shined, even surprised, so far this spring? Here are five Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser talked about Thursday after practice in State College:
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Penn State football: Quinton Martin, running back
Penn State redshirt sophomore Quinton Martin is trying to carve out a role among another crowded running back room that includes promising transfers from Iowa State (Carson Hansen) and Ohio State (James Peoples).
Of course, Martin is attempting to build off his career-best performance in last December's Pinstripe Bowl victory.
"It would have been really easy for that guy, with the transfers we’ve brought in here, to feel sorry for himself or think he’s being cheated, and he hasn’t at all," Mouser said. "He's going to be a guy we find ways to get the ball to any way that we can."
Kobe Howard, wide receiver
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Kobe Howard appears to have impressed his new coaching staff after a strong rookie start in 2025 (seven catches, 133 yards, 19.1 average).
He's taken a prime role in spring workouts with Iowa State transfers Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen slowed by injury recovery.
"Kobe, he’s a guy who’s work ethic challenges everybody in the room. He’s a guy who never leaves the JUGS machine, he’s a guy who’s around the facility all the time, he’s a guy who’s asking me questions," Mouser said. "And when you prepare like that it forces everyone else to prepare or you stand out.
"He’s come in and tried to outwork everybody in the building at the same time."
Brock Riker, center
Brock Ricker is the intriguing redshirt sophomore who started every game at center at Texas State last year and did not allow a sack.
Riker is taking most of the first-team work in spring while returning senior Dom Rulli recovers from injury.
"That guy’s probably been one of the biggest surprises to me," Mouser said of Riker "(The center's) ability to get it started, that’s always been the engine that’s run our offense. Whenever we have a really good center the offense has been good. Riker has the brains to be able to do that. ... He's going to be the glue to it all."
Riker arrived at Penn State at 270 pounds, is up to about 290 and could play the season at 305, said Campbell, who touted Riker's background as a standout wrestler and powerlifter in high school.
Connor Barry, quarterback
The Division III All-American quarterback has shined leading the offense, especially while expected starter Rocco Becht and talented backup Alex Manske deal with injury recoveries.
Barry is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior from Christopher Newport University in Virginia.
"I’ve been really impressed with what he’s been able to do ...," Mouser said. That guy’s come in and been confident and done a really good job."
Said tight end Ben Brahmer: “He knows how to work coming from a Division III school, and he can sling the rock. So, it’s fun playing for him."
The arm strength? "He can throw the ball downfield," Brahmer added. "He's ripped a couple of deep balls for 60, 70 yards."
Amarion Jackson, wide receiver
Amarion Jackson (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) is a true freshman and former Iowa State recruit who followed Campbell to State College.
The Nebraska native started his college career at safety before quickly moving to receiver.
"A guy who’s skyrocketed up the depth chart, already," Mouser said. "From being a guy who I expected to come in here and, not struggle, but just be a little bit green. And he’s been on."
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: 5 Penn State football spring practice standouts for Matt Campbell
Continue reading...
