Penn State's 2026 season will feature a completely overhauled roster following an offseason of significant transition. A coaching change led to a flurry of activity in the transfer portal, which led to a number of new faces on the program. We have taken some time to profile each player on the roster this season, but now it is time to dig a little deeper on the 25 players who will play the largest roles on the roster.
Penn State's success on offense will start with the offensive line. The line features some key returning players from last year's roster but also welcomes some big pieces to add to the mix in 2026. Among the new additions for the offensive line is Trevor Buhr, a transfer from Iowa State who followed Matt Campbell to Happy Valley.
2025 in review
Trevor Buhr started six games and played in eight games for Iowa State last season. In his time on the field, Buhr did not allow a sack in 219 pass-blocking attempts, largely protecting new Penn State starting quarterback Rocco Becht. He also played a key role in allowing the Iowa State running game to do some damage. Buhr was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention at the end of the 2025 season.
Biggest question for 2026
The addition of revor Buhr to the Penn State offensive line does not come with too many questions, which is a good thing. But it is fair to wonder if the overall level of play of Big Ten defensive linemen will be a challenge for Buhr compared to the defenses typically faced in the Big 12. Buhr will be going up against some deeper and more athletic defenses this season, but it may not be too much of a leap for Buhr overall.
2026 will be a success if...
Trevor Buhr's 2026 season will go down as a success if he remains a fixture in the offensive line as a full-time starter and continues to protect Rocco Becht and pave the path for the running game. The success of Buhr and the offensive line will directly be judged by how well the passing game and running game perform this fall.
2026 will be a disappointment if...
This fall will be a disappointment if the offensive line as a whole does not find its identity early on. If Trevor Buhr is not a regular contributor to the offensive line all season, that will fall below expectations this year.
Realistic outlook for 2026
There are solid expectations for Trevor Buhr and the entire offensive line for Penn State this season. In fact, the offensive line unit may be the most overlooked solid asset this team has going for it coming into the season. Buhr will fit right in at guard and there appears to be little competition for his starting job at the start of the season. The former honorable All-Big 12 player should be in position to play at an All-Big Ten caliber level this season, even if he is not recognized as such at the end of the season.
Penn State Top 25 Players in 2026
Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on BlueSky, Threads or any of these other platforms.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State Top 25 players for 2026: Trevor Buhr