​This latest Penn State football team is, at the same time, one of the most experienced around and yet so unfamiliar and unpredictable.It’s a dynamic that helps make the 2026 season, which begins on Sept. 5 against Marshall in Beaver Stadium, so fascinating. While these Nittany Lions feature a large contingent of well-worn players, many starting their fourth, fifth or more seasons of college football, most will be new to the program.Those two dozen transfers from Iowa State, the 50 new players in all. So first-year head coach Matt Campbell and company are finally in the last stages of not on-field preparation and design but also in the simple melding together of a team.At least we have a clearer picture of who will be counted on as starters on offense and defense and who will be the top backups.Check out our latest depth chart predictions and analysis below:Penn State football 2026 depth chart: QuarterbacksStarter: Rocco Becht, seniorTop backups:Alex Manske, freshman; Connor Barry, seniorAnalysis: Becht is the most experienced quarterback in the nation and, maybe more importantly, a respected, critical leader for a growing team. The backup situation seems in good hands now that top prospect Alex Manske has been medically cleared — and has practiced superbly — following offseason open-heart surgery. Don’t be surprised if the spotlight shines on Barry, a Division III All-American, at some point.Running backsStarter: Carson Hansen, seniorTop backups: James Peoples, junior; Quinton Martin, sophomoreAnalysis: While Hansen is the dependable, expected starter, Peoples should deliver the flash and home-run play burst. Watch for Martin, though. He may be the most versatile athlete on the team and is a threat to take over the position as the season warms up.Wide receiversStarters: Chase Sowell, senior; Brett Eskildsen, junior; Koby Howard, sophomoreTop backups: Zay Robinson, freshman; Keith Jones, Jr., sophomore; Karon Brookins, freshmanAnalysis: A promising combination of proven experience and rising, young talent hopes to break a three-year receiving drought. Though Sowell is the No. 1 key, all three expected starters offer big-play, downfield abilities.Tight endsStarter: Ben Brahmer, seniorTop backups: Andrew Rappleyea, junior; Gabe Burkle, senior; Cooper Alexander, sophomore; Finn Furmanek, junior; Brian Kortovich, freshmanAnalysis: One of the deepest and most talented rooms is ready for a national breakout. They offer standout pass-catchers (Brahmer), formidable blockers (Burkle, Furmanek) and do-it-all types (Rappleyea). While Brahmer is an All-America candidate, the true success here will be judged on how the productivity is dispersed.Offensive lineStarters: Brock Riker, center, sophomore; Trevor Buhr, left guard, junior; Cooper Cousins, right guard, junior; Malachi Goodman, left tackle, freshman; Anthony Donkoh, right tackle, juniorTop backups: Dom Rulli, center, senior; Vaea Ikakoula, left guard, freshman; Donnie Harbour, right guard, sophomore