From Penn State Nittany Lions On SI · · 2m
Penn State Roster Budget Ranks Outside Top 20
Penn State football budget ties Clemson at No. 21 nationally with $29-$32m for 2026 roster.
In brief
Penn State football budget ties Clemson at No. 21 nationally with $29-$32m for 2026 roster. Penn State ranks 21st nationally in college football roster budgets with $29-$32 million for 2026, tied with Clemson. Originally reported by Penn State Nittany Lions On SI.
Penn State Fires James Franklin
Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft announced the next football coach would have 'elite resources' after firing James Franklin last fall.
Penn State Budget Ranks 21st
The Athletic reports Penn State ranks outside top 20 for 2026 football roster budget at $29-$32 million, tying Clemson nationally.
Big Ten Ranking
Penn State ranks seventh in Big Ten, far behind national leaders Ohio State and Oregon with $49-$54 million budgets.
Budget Estimation Challenges
Football budgets are hard to pin down as stakeholders incentivize overstatement or undervaluation.
Penn State Estimate Aligns
Penn State's $29-$32m estimate matches most offseason valuations including Mike Villagrana's assessment.
Penn State Current Record
Penn State is 2-0 under Matt Campbell with 72-9 lead over Marshall and Temple opponents.
Next Game Schedule
Penn State will face Wisconsin in Big Ten opener on Sept 26 after not playing Power 4 opponents until then.
NIL Era Impact
Penn State's spending has been solid but behind major programs since NIL era began in 2021.
2026 Roster Budget Challenge
Campbell must divide $30m between signing 62 new players and retaining 50 from 2025 team.
62 New Players
Penn State has 62 new players this season, 40 signed through transfer portal.
Retained Players
Campbell weighed costs of retaining top-line Nittany Lions from 2025 roster including Tony Rojas, Anthony Donkoh, Cooper Cousins, Andrew Rappleyea, Audavion Collins and Daryus Dixson.
Derek Hoodjer's Priority
Hoodjer prioritized defining who among returning players fit program's character and football needs.
Transfer Portal Benefits
Campbell signed 24 transfers from Iowa State roster including quarterback Rocco Becht, tight end Ben Brahmer, linebacker Kooper Ebel and safeties Jeremiah Cooper and Marcus Neal Jr.
Discounted Transfers
Villagrana noted Campbell's culture and relationships helped package transfers at discount at Penn State.
Future Budget Concerns
Campbell warned 2026 salary numbers will continue rising without guardrails.
Financial Strategy
Kraft believes Penn State will be competitive financially with $1 billion guaranteed future athletics revenue.
Campbell's Resource Shift
Campbell described being in a 'vastly different spot' regarding resources at Penn State than at Iowa State.
The one thing
Penn State ranks 21st nationally in college football roster budgets with $29-$32 million for 2026, tied with Clemson.
