Ethan Grunkemeyer and Matt Campbell didn’t need to introduce themselves to one another upon Campbell’s arrival as the new Penn State head football coach.
Campbell and his Iowa State staff recruited Grunkemeyer out of high school before he ended up choosing Penn State. The Ohio natives have reconnected in the last week and a half in multiple meetings.
“I’ve always had a really good impression of him,” Grunkemeyer said Wednesday during a Pinstripe Bowl press conference. “I know the culture he built at Iowa State, and I really like that. I think it’ll carry over here really well.
“I like how he handles the program. I like what he’s about as a coach and as a person.”
A redshirt freshman, Grunkemeyer replaced the injured Drew Allar in midseason and led the Nittany Lions (6-6) to three straight wins and a berth against Clemson (7-5) in the Pinstripe Bowl Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium.
He has completed 69.4% of his passes this season for 1,079 yards and six touchdowns with four interceptions. In the last four games, he’s 58-for-78 for 736 yards and five TDs with one interception.
“If you just watched the games, you could tell he’s growing every week,” wide receiver Trebor Pena said. “He’s getting better with the experience. From where he was in the first game he started (at Iowa) to where he is now, you could tell he’s settled in and playing with that confidence.”
Grunkemeyer has met a few times with new offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, who also came from Iowa State.
“I really like him,” Grunkemeyer said. “I like his philosophy. They obviously do some really good stuff on offense. I’m excited about that. I like the type of people they are, how they carry themselves and what they’ve done so far here.”
It’s uncertain whether Grunkemeyer will remain at Penn State after the Pinstripe Bowl. Rocco Becht, Iowa State’s starting quarterback the last three seasons, is expected to transfer to another school with one season of eligibility left.
With the Cyclones, Becht has completed 61% of his passes for 9,274 yards and 64 TDs with 27 interceptions and has rushed for 499 yards and 19 TDs. He underwent shoulder surgery and is expected to be ready for the 2026 season.
Grunkemeyer might be looking for a school where he’d start next year instead of sitting behind someone after the success he’s enjoyed this season.
“It’s hard to say right now,” he said. “The goal is to find the best situation possible. That’s what my agents and my parents are helping me with.”
Grunkemeyer said he meshes well with the offense run by Campbell and Mouser. But he won’t decide about next season until after the Pinstripe Bowl. The NCAA transfer portal opens Jan. 2.
Pena, who has run out of eligibility, hopes Grunkemeyer stays at Penn State.
“He’s proved what he can do,” Pena said, “how efficient he can be and what kind of throws he can make. I feel very confident that he could be the quarterback of the future and should be.”
