The appointment of Matt Campbell as Penn State’s head coach for the 2026 season has sent shockwaves through the Big Ten. But perhaps the most resonant voice in the conversation belongs to Nittany Lion legend Saquon Barkley. As the program pivots from the James Franklin era toward a new identity, Barkley has a message for Campbell.
Saquon Barkley Urges Penn State Head Coach Matt Campbell to Enjoy the Job
Barkley, appearing in a conversation with State Media, was asked what advice he would give to Campbell. For Barkley, the position is more than a coaching gig. He said, “What advice would I give coach? Just enjoy it. Soak it all in.”
“Like, Penn State is an unbelievable place. There’s not many like it, there is any like it. So there’s haven’t been a lot of Penn State head coaches, and the opportunity that you have is truly a blessing. So soak it all in and take advantage of the opportunity,” Barkley added.
Barkley’s emphasis on soaking it all in serves as a crucial reminder for a coach known for his blue-collar, nose-to-the-grindstone mentality. At Iowa State, Campbell was the architect involved in the process. In Happy Valley, he must balance that process with the relentless expectations of a fan base that views a 10-win season as the floor, not the ceiling.
For that, Campbell has leveraged the transfer portal to reconstruct Penn State’s roster in his image almost overnight. The Nittany Lions welcomed a staggering 38 transfers this offseason, many of whom followed Campbell from Ames to University Park.
The key additions include former Iowa State signal-caller Rocco Becht, who brings veteran leadership and a proven arm. Becht is expected to ignite a passing game that often felt stagnant in 2025. To complement him, tight end Benjamin Brahmer and running back James Peoples also joined the Penn State ranks.
While the offensive infusion is high-profile, the defensive side of the ball is where the real work begins. New defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn takes over the defense following the disappointing 2025 campaign. So the primary challenge lies in chemistry.
But when Nittany Lions fans look at the 2026 schedule, it provides both a threat and a massive opportunity. With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, Penn State’s path is wide open.
Home games against Wisconsin (Sept. 26) and USC (Oct. 10) will serve as the first true litmus tests for the Campbell era. Then, a mid-October trip to Michigan (Oct. 17) looms large. This game is widely circled as the proving ground for whether Campbell’s brand of physicality can translate to the top tier of the Big Ten.
The consensus remains that Campbell has the squad and he can build the culture that can compete for a College Football Playoff spot. However, PFSN’s CFB Playoff Meter gives the Nittany Lions a 2.3% chance to do it. But they can be expected to make a bowl game with a projected win total of 6.5.
