Insight into Matt Campbell’s transfer portal, NIL experience entering Penn State

The Penn State coaching search didn’t go exactly as planned, but the Nittany Lions ultimately landed a potential strong hire in 46-year-old Matt Campbell, luring him away from Iowa State.

Campbell delivered Iowa State’s most successful stretch in program history over the last decade, winning seven games in eight of his 10 seasons in Ames, Iowa, including four of the Cyclones’ 12 eight-win seasons all-time and their first 10-win campaign, an 11-3 finish in 2024.

Still, questions linger about whether Campbell can compete with Big Ten elites like Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon and Indiana on the recruiting trail.

Iowa State posted high school finishes of Nos. 55, 55, 42, 39, and 59 over the last five cycles. It signed just one top 75 transfer class during his tenure (No. 59 in 2025).

CBS Sports‘ College Football Insiders weigh in on whether Campbell can elevate his game with Penn State’s resources, or if the Nittany Lions should brace for more tough sledding against the Big Ten’s best.

“Not long after the Penn State job opened, we talked to someone close to Matt about whether he’d be a fit,” said John Talty on Tuesday’s episode. “That person mentioned him not really having to mess with NIL and the transfer portal that much at Iowa State.