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Matt Campbell discusses potential breakout player at tight end
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- Matt Campbell discusses potential breakout player at tight end
For the Penn State Nittany Lions , one position has become an even bigger strength than fans could have even imagined. The tight end position got a much-needed boost from an Iowa State influx, with a lot of expectations on how they will perform. In fact, head coach Matt Campbell said that they are the best position group on the team. One player could make a very unique difference for the roster.
Although Gabe Burkle didn't get a proper introduction to Penn State fans, he is seen as "critically important" according to Matt Campbell for Penn State's success, as noted by Mark Wogenrich of Sports Illustrated. Burkle never really had the chance to fully break out with the Cyclones, but you'd better bet he will now get the chance, along with his former teammate Benjamin Brahmer , to elevate the Penn State passing attack.
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Burkle actually had two chances to showcase his talents. In 2024, he had a 26-catch season replacing Brahmer in the lineup due to injury. In 2025, he was replicating that production before his own season-ending injury cut short his promising start to the year. Now, he enters fall camp limited but a chance to add even more depth to an already fascinating tight end.
When speaking of Burkle's significance to the offense, Matt Campbell emphasized his ability to get open down the field and most importantly, create opportunities for others in the offense as well.
"If you really study Iowa State and you study Gabe Burkle , that guy was the best blocking tight end in the country, the best off-the-ball tight end [in the country]," Campbell said. "I also think he became a real factor for us in the passing game. He's a guy that's got great hands. He's elite at the top of the route. He can certainly be a guy that, whether it's over the middle or vertically down the field, is a real asset."
For Burkle, it's all about getting back to that 2025 form that made him such an intriguing talent in the first place.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Matt Campbell discusses potential breakout player at tight end
