​Penn State football will enter 2026 with a drastically rebuilt roster under the leadership of new head coach Matt Campbell. After one of the most active offseasons in recent memory at Penn State, highlighted by a flurry of transfers and new signees, fans will have plenty of ground to cover as they get up to speed with this year’s squad. The good news is that not every familiar face will be replaced; some veterans will remain, while new talent arrives through the transfer portal and the Class of 2026 recruiting cycle. To help supporters navigate the changes, we’ll provide a comprehensive series of player profiles detailing every member of the 2026 Penn State roster.
Here’s a quick look at kicker Cristiano Rosa for the 2026 season. Hometown: Shelton, Connecticut. Height: 5-11. Weight: 208. Class of 2026: Redshirt Senior. Class of 2022: Unranked recruit. Rosa began his collegiate career at Central Connecticut State before transferring to James Madison, where his abilities as a kickoff specialist drew Penn State’s attention. Across his career, Rosa has logged 159 kickoffs for a total of 10,077 yards and has posted a touchback percentage of 71.7%. Remarkably, he has attempted only four field goals in his entire collegiate tenure, converting two of them with a long of 40 yards, and he has connected on three of four extra-point tries.
Over the years, Rosa has developed into one of the most efficient kickoff specialists in college football. With the departure of kickoff specialist standout Gabe Nwosu, Rosa stands in line as a viable replacement option for that role. However, when it comes to placekicking duties, that responsibility will fall to redshirt junior Ryan Barker.
Rosa’s path into football traces back to his soccer roots; he began playing soccer and only started kicking footballs during high school, a transition that has shaped his unique approach to the kicking game. As the Nittany Lions move through this offseason and into the 2026 campaign, Rosa’s experience and consistency should be an important component of Penn State’s special teams.
For more updates, keep an eye on Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook. This overview originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire as part of a broader preview of Penn State’s 2026 season, including the kickers and a deeper dive into the roster changes.