Football games are won in the trenches, and for Penn State, rebuilding an offensive line that will feature just one returning starter will be key to the team’s success in 2026. 

A big storyline over the offseason has been the barrage of Iowa State transfers making the pilgrimage from Ames, Iowa, to State College, Pennsylvania. 

And while Matt Campbell has undoubtedly brought over immense talent from players who previously donned the cardinal and gold, there are plenty of transfers from other less-talked-about colleges going under the radar. 

Center Brock Riker is one of those players who will look to make his mark on the Nittany Lions this fall. When he announced his decision to enter the portal while at Texas State, Campbell and the Penn State coaching staff immediately knew to target the second-team Freshman All-American.

While Riker brings a lot to the table in terms of his style of play and results, having not surrendered a single sack in 438 pass-blocking snaps, it’s his natural size and athleticism that stand out perhaps even more.

A former wrestler and a weightlifter, Riker’s strength instantly drew Campbell’s attention. But even the titans of the weight room have room to improve.

Since arriving on campus as a 6’4”, 270-pound interior lineman, Riker has gained over 30 pounds, now weighing close to 305 pounds, according to the head coach.

Campbell and offensive line coach Ryan Clanton have preached the importance of size and physicality since day one, so Riker will look to fulfill their vision up front. 

“You saw how built [Riker] was when he came, and we just felt like, man, this guy’s got a chance to be a really special football player,” Campbell said. 

Riker’s mindset and eagerness to improve each day are further promising traits for the Rimington Trophy watch list center. 

“The amount of time that guy puts into his craft to be great, it’s being rewarded,” Campbell said. 

When Penn State was looking for a guy to bring in to quarterback the offensive line, so to speak, getting a player with experience was of the utmost importance. 

Dominic Rulli served as Penn State’s starting center in the Pinstripe Bowl, but it appears as if the Nittany Lions would prefer someone with more game reps to serve as their go-to option to begin the season. 

“Our belief has always been building our football team from the inside out, and we want to be great down the middle,” Campbell said. “Brock’s experience was not only positive, but the way he played.”

As a member of the Bobcats, he started all 12 games in 2025.

So as Riker gears up for his first taste of Big Ten football, he will continue to put in the work to look the part. There’s no denying the physicality gap that exists between the Big Ten and Sun Belt conferences, but the center’s development seems to make him the right fit for the job.

With Trevor Buhr and Cooper Cousins expected to be on either side of Riker at left and right guard, respectively, when the season gets underway, he will be well aided in quarterback communication duties. His fellow talented linemen will help pave the way for the redshirt sophomore to be successful in year one for the blue and white. 

“His growth has been pivotal for us to grow ourselves forward,” Campbell said.