Penn State Recruiting Surge: Iowa State’s Top Punter, QB Flip After Coaching Exodus

Two more highly-touted Iowa State recruits have flipped their commitments to Penn State. This news broke on Sunday, December 14, 2025. The moves follow head coach Matt Campbell’s recent departure from Iowa State to lead the Nittany Lions.

The shifting landscape leaves new Cyclones coach Jimmy Rogers scrambling. According to reports from On3, the latest defections include the nation’s top-ranked punter and a promising quarterback. This continues a significant talent drain from Iowa State’s 2026 recruiting class.

Nittany Lions Land Elite Specialist and Quarterback Talent

Lucas Tenbrock, the No. 1 punter in the 2026 class per Chris Sailer Kicking, has switched his pledge to Penn State. The St. Charles North product had only held an offer from Iowa State previously. His commitment was first reported by Sean Fitz of On3’s Penn State site.

Joining him is three-star quarterback Kase Evans from Lexington, Texas. Evans originally committed to Iowa State after reopening his recruitment earlier in the cycle. He announced his new destination on social media platform X.

In his post, Evans thanked Coach Campbell for his belief. He expressed excitement about joining the Penn State program in January. The quarterback’s family has a strong athletic pedigree in college sports.

These two additions bring the total to three former Iowa State commits now headed to Happy Valley. Safety Bryson Williams was the first to make the switch last week. The flips highlight the immediate recruiting pull of the new Penn State staff.

Broader Impact on Both Big Ten Programs

For Penn State, this is a rapid and impactful start to the Matt Campbell era. Securing a top specialist and a developmental quarterback addresses specific needs. It also signals to the broader recruiting world that the new staff can attract talent quickly.

The situation is far more challenging for Iowa State. The program has now seen 11 recruits decommit from its 2026 class. Coach Jimmy Rogers anticipated this fallout but must now work to rebuild.

His strategy may involve retaining some wavering commits while targeting new prospects. There is also potential to attract players who initially committed to Campbell at his previous stop. The coming weeks will be critical for stabilizing the Cyclones’ future roster.

This recruiting shift underscores the high-stakes nature of college football coaching changes. The Penn State recruiting machine is already generating momentum, while Iowa State faces a major rebuild.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Who is Lucas Tenbrock?

Lucas Tenbrock is a punter from St. Charles North High School. He was ranked the No. 1 punter in the 2026 class by Chris Sailer Kicking. He flipped his commitment from Iowa State to Penn State in December 2025.

Why are players flipping from Iowa State to Penn State?

Players are following head coach Matt Campbell and his assistants. Campbell left Iowa State to become the head coach at Penn State. Recruits who built relationships with that staff are opting to join them in Happy Valley.

How many Iowa State recruits have decommitted?

As of mid-December 2025, 11 recruits have decommitted from Iowa State’s 2026 class. Three of those players have now publicly committed to Penn State. More could follow as the recruiting cycle continues.

What does this mean for new Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers?

Coach Rogers faces an immediate challenge to rebuild the recruiting class. He must work to retain remaining commits and find new talent. His success here will define the early trajectory of his tenure at Iowa State.

Is Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class now complete?

No, recruiting is an ongoing process. These latest commitments strengthen Penn State’s group, but the staff will continue to pursue other targets. The early signing period in December is a key milestone, but recruitment lasts until National Signing Day.