Penn State Top 25 players for 2026: Chase Sowell

[ASFN Admin]

Penn State's 2026 season will feature a completely overhauled roster following an offseason of significant transition. A coaching change led to a flurry of activity in the transfer portal, which led to a number of new faces on the program. We have taken some time to profile each player on the roster this season, but now it is time to dig a little deeper on the 25 players who will play the largest roles on the roster.

We shift back to the offensive side of the football with a look at one of Penn State's key transfer portal additions, wide receiver Chase Sowell. Sowell steps right into an opportunity to contribute in an offense with some familiar faces around him in his new uniform.

2025 in review​

Chase Sowell was Iowa State's second-leading receiver in 2025 with 500 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He was not the main target in an Iowa State offense that saw the ball distributed between leading receiver Brett Eskildsen and tight end Benjamin Brahmer (both joining Sowell in Happy Valley this season along with quarterback Rocco Becht). Sowell joined Iowa State in 2025 after transferring from East Carolina, where he spent two seasons (Sowell started his college career at Colorado in 2022 before moving to East Carolina).

Biggest question for 2026​

Penn State has had plenty of questions about the passing game over the years, so it only makes sense that would be among the bigger questions going into the 2026 season. How exactly will Chase Sowell fit into his new role with Penn State, and will it be the kind of upgrade that is sorely needed with the offense?

This year is a bit different because there is already some experience and chemistry brewing with the Penn State passing game, with the players coming over from Iowa State already having played together under a familiar coaching staff. But is it enough to lift Penn State to the level it aspires to reach?

2026 will be a success if...​

Sowell will have a successful season if he continues to be a solid and consistent secondary option in the passing game for the Nittany Lions. Sowell will have a successful season if he can record at least 500 receiving yards with a handful of touchdowns. The season has a great opportunity to shine early before the higher-profile matchups later in the season.

2026 will be a disappointment if...​

Penn State has been burned by transfer receivers failing to play to expectations. If Sowell fails to match his career numbers, that would be following the trend. Sowell would have a disappointing season if he records fewer than 500 receiving yards and 30 receptions during the season. Those would each be career lows, with the exception of his true freshman season at Colorado in 2022 when he appeared in three games.

Realistic outlook for 2026​

Chase Sowell had two seasons with at least 600 receiving yards at East Carolina before reaching 500 yards with Iowa State last season. At Penn State, fans should expect to see his production continue along those similar results with at least 500 receiving yards. A season with 550 receiving yards and 4 or 5 touchdowns should be a fair expectation, although that touchdown total would be a career-high. He will be an immediate fixture in the offense to start the season along with former Iowa State teammate Brett Eskilsden. Penn State has some younger receiving options that will get involved this season, but Sowell's experience will help keep him as a main cog in the passing attack.

Penn State Top 25 Players in 2026​

Previous: LB Tony Rojas

Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on BlueSky, Threads or any of these other platforms.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State Top 25 players for 2026: Chase Sowell

Continue reading...