With all the movement in college football — especially at the quarterback position — there was suspicion as the 2025 season unfolded that Penn State’s starter for 2026 was not on its roster.

Ethan Grunkemeyer accounted himself well during his six-game window that included a three-game win streak heading into Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson (noon, ABC).

He completed 100 of 144 passes (69.4%) for 1,079 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.

Grunk said during Pinstripe Bowl preparation that he — like all the Nittany Lions — has met individually with new coach Matt Campbell, who made a positive first impression on him.

“I know the culture he’s built at Iowa State, and I really like that,” Grunkemeyer said. “I think it’ll carry over here really well. So just a really good impression. I like how he handles the program, and I like what he’s about as a coach and as a person.”

While in high school, the Ohio native took an official visit to Iowa State and attended a football camp there.

But despite familiarity with and optimism about Campbell, Grunk is still keeping an open mind.

Most Power-4 starting quarterbacks are commanding million-dollar salaries through NIL compensation — all legal — and Grunk said last week he will wait until after the season to decide his next step.

“(We’re) definitely starting talks,” Grunkemeyer said. “What the plan is, is obviously not in full capacity yet, just because of the nature that we’re still in the season.”

Meanwhile, the three-year starting QB under Campbell at Iowa State, Rocco Becht, entered the transfer portal over the weekend.

Penn State is considered an obvious contender for his services.

Becht is the winningest QB in Cyclones history with 26 victories (in 39 starts). He ranks No. 2 on Iowa State’s all-time passing touchdowns list with 64 (behind Brock Purdy) and at No. 3 in passing yards with 9,274 (behind Purdy and Bret Meyer).

Iowa State’s offensive coordinator, Taylor Mouser, and quarterbacks coach, Jake Waters, have already been confirmed as following Campbell to PSU.

In announcing his decision to enter the portal, Becht said: “I’ve had meaningful conversations with (Iowa State) coach Jimmy Rogers, and I’m confident he will elevate this program to new heights. But … I’ve decided to pursue new opportunities for my senior season. This decision was not taken lightly — it comes from a place of growth, purpose and belief in where my path is leading.”

A Florida native, Becht has one season of collegiate eligibility remaining.

As he scrambles to assemble his first recruiting start — exacerbated by being hired after the Dec. 2 signing date — Campbell knows quarterback must be his top priority.

“For me, quarterback is funny,” Campbell told a smaller group of reporters after his introductory press conference on Dec. 9. “It’s fit. It’s the relationship with the head coach. The head coach and the quarterback better be linked at the hip. The quarterback and the head coach get all the blame and they probably get all the credit when on both sides of it, that’s not always true.

“But they’d better be linked at the hip, because I feel like the quarterback has got to have the leadership ability, the toughness and the grit to control the locker room. I think you’re always looking for the right intangibles that way. Everybody likes fast, everybody likes arm strength, but those things don’t win. What wins is grit, toughness, character and the ability to lead others around. The locker room always knows who the quarterback should be.”

Becht’s father, Anthony Becht, is a Pennsylvania native and former West Virginia and NFL tight end who serves on the New York Jets’ broadcast team.

Former Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula is another name potentially in the mix. Pribula backed up Drew Allar in 2023-24 before transferring to Missouri, where he completed 67.4 percent of his passes (182-of-270) for 2365 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games last season.

His production dropped off after a midseason injury, and the Tigers lost three of their last five games.

Like Becht, Pribula (a York native) has one season of eligibility remaining.

The cost of quarterbacks is rising. On3.com reported that many of the QBs who were paid in the $2 to $3 million range last year — which is where Allar is believed to have been slotted — are now commanding $4 million or higher.

It’s a reason some quarterbacks are staying in college longer, rather than make themselves available to the NFL Draft, where their projections and earning power are less certain.

Another factor is roster construction. If, for example, a program invests $3-4 million for a starter, how much would it pay a projected backup?

“I’m trying to figure out what’s best for my future,” Grunkemeyer said. “I think I mesh well with the (Campbell) offense. Being able to distribute to the playmakers on the edge, and obviously they use the tight ends well. I think that’s one of our strengths, getting the ball to the tight end. And I think I mesh well with the offensive coordinator. I like a lot of the stuff they do, so I’m really excited about that.”

Grunk added, “(Campbell) wants me to still focus on getting this last win.”

Notable: On3.com is reporting that cornerback A.J. Harris has opted-out of the Pinstripe Bowl to concentrate on the NFL Draft. He joins previously announced opt-outs DT Zane Durant, DBs Zakee Wheatley and Elliot Washington, RB Nick Singleton and G Vega Ioane. Clemson has 27 opt-outs, coach Dabo Swinney said … Jon Heacock, who served as Iowa State’s defensive coordinator for the past 10 years and was thought to be part of Campbell’s PSU staff in some capacity, announced his retirement on Tuesday … Lions’ special teams player and backup tight end Finn Furmanek, a State College High School product and the grandson of former Bishop Guilfoyle coach Tom Irwin, has been placed on scholarship. Furmanek is No. 89.