Rocco Becht Leaned on Brock Purdy Before Penn State Move
STATE COLLEGE — Major program transitions rarely happen in isolation. When quarterback Rocco Becht faced one of the biggest decisions of his college career, he did not navigate it alone.
Before transferring to Penn State, Becht picked up the phone and called Brock Purdy.
The connection was natural. Purdy, now the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, previously played under head coach Matt Campbell at Iowa State. Becht, who followed Campbell to Penn State, wanted perspective from someone who had lived within that system.
“Honestly, he was one of the first people that I called when Campbell took this job,” Becht said. “I was kind of picking his brain on what he would do if he was in this situation.”
The advice was less about X’s and O’s and more about process.
Becht sought guidance on who to trust, how to manage the transition, and how to approach conversations during a pivotal offseason. Purdy’s input, Becht said, provided clarity.
“He gave me some tips on going through this process, who to talk to, who to trust in,” Becht explained. “That was somebody that I leaned on.”
The respect between the two quarterbacks extends beyond scheme familiarity.
Becht described Purdy as authentic, saying that what fans see publicly mirrors who he is privately. That consistency matters when seeking counsel during uncertain moments.
Navigating an “Awkward” Locker Room Reset
Becht’s transition coincided with sweeping roster changes at Penn State.
Campbell brought 55 new players to State College, including 40 via the transfer portal. The initial chemistry challenges were predictable.
“It was like 50/50 transfers and 50/50 Penn State guys,” Becht said. “That takes some time.”
Early team meetings and meals reflected the divide. Former Iowa State players gravitated toward each other, as did returning Nittany Lions.
Recognizing the potential fault lines, Campbell intervened.
He encouraged positional mixing at team functions and introduced “accountability teams” designed to integrate personalities and responsibilities.
Becht, part of the leadership group, embraced the directive.
“I felt like the culture that we had at Iowa State was awesome,” he said. “Bringing that over to Penn State was the best thing that I felt like happened.”
According to Becht, returning Penn State players have already noticed shifts in locker-room energy and daily structure.
He emphasized balance — arriving without imposing but still reinforcing standards that defined Iowa State’s cohesion under Campbell.
“They’ve opened their arms and brought us all in,” Becht said.
The Emotional Departure From Iowa State
Campbell’s December exit meeting at Iowa State was described by former players as deeply emotional.
Rather than releasing a statement, Campbell informed the team in person before making himself available for individual conversations for hours afterward.
Safety Marcus Neal Jr. called the meeting “sad,” underscoring how tightly knit the Cyclones had become under Campbell’s leadership.
Offensive lineman Trevor Buhr labeled it “hard,” particularly amid swirling social media speculation.
For Becht and others, the departure symbolized both loss and opportunity.
“You’re like, ‘Dang, I’m not going to see some of these guys again,’” Neal said. “These are really my brothers.”
The personal dimension amplified the professional decision.
Purdy’s Influence Beyond the Field
Purdy’s journey from Iowa State to the NFL offers Becht a tangible blueprint.
Though separated by levels of competition, both quarterbacks share an understanding of Campbell’s expectations — accountability, preparation, and cultural consistency.
For Becht, the call was less about replicating Purdy’s path and more about managing the emotional and logistical complexity of change.
The upcoming season at Penn State presents elevated expectations.
Becht, a redshirt senior recovering from offseason surgery, expects to resume throwing this week. His role as both quarterback and bridge between program eras carries weight.
Leadership in that environment requires nuance.
Purdy’s guidance provided that steadiness.
In modern college football, where transfers and coaching changes reshape rosters rapidly, relationships often serve as stabilizing forces.
For Rocco Becht, one of those anchors resides in San Francisco.
And before stepping into a new chapter at Penn State, he made sure to seek counsel from someone who had navigated similar terrain — and thrived.
