Penn State football enters the 2026 season with a nearly unrecognizable roster under new head coach Matt Campbell. After one of the most active transfer portal periods in program history, fans will have plenty of new names and faces to learn. But not everyone is a stranger—and redshirt freshman quarterback Alex Manske is one of the few familiar talents worth watching closely.
As part of our ongoing series breaking down every player on the 2026 Nittany Lions roster, we’re taking a closer look at Manske, a promising signal-caller whose path to playing time has been complicated by injury.
Manske arrived at Penn State as a composite four-star recruit in the Class of 2025, ranked No. 266 nationally by 247Sports. He was the second-ranked player from Iowa and originally committed to Iowa State before following Campbell to Happy Valley. In high school, he threw for nearly 5,000 career passing yards with just 10 interceptions—a stat line that hints at both arm talent and decision-making.
During his true freshman season at Iowa State, Manske appeared in just three games as a backup to Rocco Becht. He completed 4 of 5 passes for 28 yards and added 33 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Not a huge sample size, but enough to show he can move the chains when needed.
Now, the big question: Where does Manske fit in the 2026 depth chart? The answer largely depends on his recovery from an unspecified medical issue. Penn State fans haven’t yet seen him take the field as the presumed QB2, which has opened the door for Connor Barry. Barry impressed coaches during spring practice, taking the bulk of snaps and developing faster than expected. If Barry continues to rise, Manske—through no fault of his own—could find himself sliding down the depth chart.
It’s a tough break for a player who has shown grit before. Manske and a high school teammate once converted a garage into a weight training room to chase their dream of being recruited by Iowa State. That same determination will be key as he battles back from injury and fights for his spot under center in a crowded Penn State quarterback room.