5 Penn State football 'surprises' for Matt Campbell in spring practice

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 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 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.