The BSD staff recently voted for the top 10 Penn State players heading into 2026. The votes are dictated by how the players are expected to perform in the upcoming season, without factoring in long-term or NFL potential. Each member submitted a ballot with players ranked 1-10, with a first place vote being 10 points, and a last place vote being worth 1 point. Coming in at No. 7 is transfer tight end Benjamin Brahmer.
HOW HE GOT HERE
Benjamin Brahmer should be a poster boy for the word “development’ when it comes to a football player, because it was not that long ago that Brahmer was a scrawny 6-foot-6, 215-pound recruit out of Nebraska. He clearly had some promise for sure — he was committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers before flipping to Iowa State — but he was going to have to see significant progress physically to be able to play tight end at a high-level.
Well, it did not take long for Brahmer to prove to be physically ready. He played right away for the Cyclones, finishing his freshman season with 28 receptions for 352 yards and 2 touchdowns. He then bounced back from an injury shortened sophomore season to post some really impressive numbers as a junior: 37 receptions, 446 yards, and 6 touchdowns, en route to second-team All-Big 12 honors and being a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2026
Brahmer followed Matt Campbell to Penn State, where he figures to fit right into the strong tradition of great tight ends in Happy Valley. While a 50+ reception season seems to be a bit of a stretch given the other pieces in the tight end room —hello, Andrew Rappleyea and even Gabe Burkle — Brahmer is going to be a major piece of this offense. With Burkle more of a blocker and Rappleyea a nice mix of blocker and receiver, Brahmer should be the more flex threat of the group. I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion he leads the team in receptions, but if he isn’t the #1 receiving option, he won’t be far off. He and Rocco Becht clearly have some great chemistry together, and there’s no reason that shouldn’t continue at Penn State. Expect an All-B1G caliber season.