Following a productive spring, Rocco Becht is ready to roll into summer

By Greg Pickel

Penn State coach Matt Campbell said the quiet part out loud on Saturday when asked about the state of his quarterbacks room exiting his first spring practice here.

“Obviously Rocco, I thought it’s huge that he was able to get the reps he had,” the first-year leader of the Lions said. “I probably would have been really nervous had Rocco not been able to get the reps that he got through the spring.”

He is talking about Rocco Becht, of course. The multi-year starter and Iowa State transfer followed his head coach from the Big 12 to the Big Ten at nowhere near 100 percent. A sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder and a torn labrum in his left shoulder impacted his abilities in 2025. Rest and rehab fixed the former. Surgery fixed the latter. Both were neccessary. However, each also meant that he did not fully participate in what will be the redshirt senior’s first and only spring in town.

Becht only started throwing again in February. When practice started in late March, he was only able to do select drills. Eventually, the 6-foot-1, 209-pound passer was cleared to do more. On Saturday, that included individual work and 7-on-7 action. He’s been doing that for a few weeks now, and believes he’s exiting April and spring ball in a good place.

More: Recap: Penn State Blue-White practice notes, observations, and more of what we saw at Beaver Stadium

“I would say my spring went really well,” Becht said after the Blue-White practice. “You know, in the beginning, I wasn’t able to do a lot on the field. And so, I think building that chemistry in the film room and being a leader on and off the field for me, was a huge step in my leadership role.

“I thought I had a good spring to develop in that way, develop in the offense, learning more of the protections, learning the run game. I think I did a really good job of that. And to finish it off, today, I was able to do the 7-on-7, so that was pretty cool.”

Becht says he will be full go moving forward, something he is naturally happy about. The 7-on-7 work allowed him to get familiar with the team’s running backs, tight ends, and receivers. Some of them are also former Cyclones. Others were already at Penn State. And a few are new to it. The same can be said about the offensive line. He will focus on getting a better rapport with that group heading into the summer.

More: Everything Matt Campbell said after spring practice No. 15

That will be a big part of Becht’s next steps toward starting for the first time in blue and white. Penn State teammates are already praising his leadership. Now that his health is back to where it needs to be, the Nittany Lion is full steam ahead toward summer improvements ahead of camp and ultimately, the season.

“I think the people that were here when I first got here made it super easy,” Becht said. “Everybody had open arms, including the players that stayed, and now we’re just kind of like a family. Those are brothers to me. And so I’m excited for what we were able to do this spring and how we were able to come together as one team.

“I’m excited to see us fully go from here.”