Penn State had to utilize the transfer portal to build its 2026 football team when, prior to this offseason, the Nittany Lions would only target certain players and needs. With 40 transfers, including 24 who followed head coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State, the roster looks quite different. Rocco Becht is the most-discussed transfer as Penn State’s next quarterback, but several others made noise during spring practice and are expected to play key roles for the Nittany Lions in 2026. Running back James Peoples Penn State Nittany Lions running back James Peoples runs with the ball during the Blue-White Spring Practice at Beaver Stadium. | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images Penn State’s running backs room was going to look widely different regardless of the transfer portal, with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton’s record-setting tenures ending in 2025. James Peoples, the Ohio State transfer, can be an explosive runner in the backfield for Penn State.…