Penn State football is underway with a new era as head coach Matt Campbell prepares for his debut season on campus. The Nittany Lions staff and roster underwent major changes since a 7-6 result last year, featuring more than 50 player additions that have dramatically impacted depth chart plans.
*Projected to open inside Top 25 national rankings, Penn State begins its 2026 game schedule Sept. 5 versus Marshall in Beaver Stadium. Until then, our Countdown to Kickoff series will feature players whose uniform numbers correspond with the number of days remaining until that matchup. Now at 86 days, and with no Nittany Lion currently wearing No. 86, we shift focus to Brenton Strange.*
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PATH TO PENN STATE
Brenton Strange seriously considered Notre Dame and Ohio State before issuing a pledge to Penn State soon after his late-September 2018 official visit. Evaluated as a four-star talent and the No. 14 prospect at his position in 247Sports' Class of 2019 composite rankings, he secured a scholarship offer from the Nittany Lions that summer after impressing staff members at camp.
He collected a career-best 65 receptions for 1,083 yards as a Parkersburg (W.V.) High School senior. During his junior and senior campaigns combined, Strange secured 124 catches for 2,021 yards and 19 touchdowns in 21 games.
HAPPY VALLEY HIGHLIGHTS
Strange enrolled at the university in January 2019, and he made an immediate mark on the stat sheet during his collegiate debut, catching a four-yard touchdown during Penn State's blowout victory over Idaho in the 2019 opener. Aside from a brief appearance at Michigan State, he did not enter another game as a true freshman, preserving redshirt status.
Strange stepped up as primary backup to Big Ten Tight End of the Year Pat Freiermuth in 2020. He recorded three receptions through four contests before Freiermuth's college career ended via shoulder injury. Inserted as the replacement starter, Strange totaled at least three catches in each of the last three games, including a seven-yard score versus Illinois. He finished fourth on the squad with 17 total receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2021, Penn State routinely worked in fellow tight ends Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren but Strange logged starts in all 13 contests. He was named the coaching staff's Offensive Player of the Game following his performance versus Auburn (four catches for 71 yards and a touchdown) and finish finished fourth on the team last season with 20 receptions, edging Johnson (19) atop the tight end leaderboard. He turned those catches into 225 yards and three touchdowns.
Strange remained the leader of that three-man tight end approach in 2022. A reliable blocker in Penn State's improved rush attack that fall, he set career-bests with 32 catches for 362 yards and five touchdowns.
Strange elected to turn pro following his redshirt junior campaign. Collectively, he totaled 70 receptions for 755 yards and 11 scores in 37 games as a Nittany Lion, starting 31 consecutive games.
NFL CAREER
Strange largely exceeded industry expectations in the 2023 NFL Draft, landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars at Pick 61 in Round 2. He became the third straight starting tight end from Penn State selected in the second round, following Freiermuth (2021) and Mike Gesicki (2018).
The Jaguars also added former Penn State teammate Parker Washington, a receiver, as a Round 6 draft pick within that class. As Jacksonville rookies, Strange and Washington became part of the supporting cast for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall 2021 draft selection who helped the Jaguars end a lengthy playoff drought in 2022.
In Year 1, Strange collected five catches for 35 yards and one touchdown on nine total targets in 14 games. He missed three matchups with a foot injury. The bulk of his production occurred during an Oct. 15 win over Indianapolis (two receptions for 27 yards and a score).
Strange took a step forward in 2024, seeing his offensive snap total climb from about 300 as a rookie to nearly 600 in Year 2. He finished second on the squad with 411 receiving yards on 40 catches, scoring two touchdowns.
Despite missing several matchups with a hip injury, 2025 proved to be Strange's most productive year as a pro. He turned 60 targets into 46 receptions for 540 yards and three scores across 12 games, helping Jacksonville win its division.
Moving forward, the 25-year-old Strange appears entrenched as a primary offensive piece in 2026.
His rookie contract lasts through the 2026 campaign, setting him up for potential free agency opportunities. Strange's linear progress suggests that will be a lucrative experience.
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Previous Numbers
87 - Tight end Andrew Rappleyea 88 - Defensive end Ike Ezeogu 89 - Defensive end Jackson Ford 90 - Defensive lineman Liam Andrews 91 - Defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim 92 - Defensive tackle Siale Taupaki 93 - Defensive lineman Brandon Noble 94 - Kicker Ryan Barker 95 - Kickoff specialist Cristiano Rosa 96 - Defensive lineman Immanuel Iyke 97 - Defensive tackle Keanu Williams 98 - Kicker Matthew Parker 99 - Defensive end Yvan Kemajou 100 - Nittany Lions on the rise entering summer