Penn State's Matt Campbell Discusses Running Backs, Quarterback Rocco Becht at Spring Practice

The Nittany Lions head coach provides updates on key offensive players ahead of the Blue-White Game.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Penn State football practice, with players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of blue and white, capturing the energy and movement of the game.Coach Campbell's spring practice updates highlight the growing depth and versatility of Penn State's offense as the team prepares for the upcoming season.State College Today

Penn State head coach Matt Campbell met with reporters on Tuesday to discuss the progress of his team during spring practice. Campbell highlighted the development of the Nittany Lions' running backs, including Nick Carson, James Franklin, and Quinton Redding, noting their improved physical condition and contributions in the new offensive system. The coach also provided an update on quarterback Rocco Becht, who has been working his way back from an injury and is showing positive signs of leadership and command of the offense.

Why it matters

As Penn State prepares for its annual Blue-White spring game, these updates from Coach Campbell provide valuable insight into the state of the team's offense and the key players who will be relied upon to lead the unit in the upcoming season.

The details

Campbell praised the running back group, noting that Nick Carson has grown both physically and in his role, transitioning from a third-down specialist to a more well-rounded contributor. The coach also highlighted the improvements of James Franklin and Quinton Redding, as well as the return of Cam Brown, who has shown flashes of his potential. On the quarterback front, Rocco Becht has been making progress in his recovery from an injury, and while he may not be fully ready to play, his leadership and command of the offense have been valuable assets for the team.

  • The press conference took place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • Penn State's Blue-White spring game is scheduled for April 25, 2026.

The players

Matt Campbell

The head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions football team.

Nick Carson

A running back for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

James Franklin

A running back for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Quinton Redding

A running back for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Rocco Becht

The quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Carson has grown. He's grown. Was a third down back as a freshman, then started both years since. Gotten better and better. Best shape of his life physically. Done a great job.”

— Matt Campbell, Head Coach

“It's been really good. He got 7-on-7 reps Saturday and today. Biggest thing is just getting him back out there with the receivers. Command the offense. What you love about Rocco is, he's got the entire receivers and tight ends in with him. Those are the things you want to see.”

— Matt Campbell, Head Coach

What’s next

The Nittany Lions will hold their annual Blue-White spring game on April 25, 2026, where fans will get a chance to see the progress of the team's offense and the continued development of the key players highlighted by Coach Campbell.

The takeaway

Penn State's offense appears to be in good shape heading into the 2026 season, with the running back group showing significant improvement and the return of quarterback Rocco Becht providing a boost to the team's leadership and playmaking ability. These spring practice updates suggest the Nittany Lions are well-positioned to build on their success and compete at a high level in the upcoming campaign.