
The Journey of Penn State Backup Quarterback Alex Manske
Alex Manske, a 20-year-old redshirt freshman quarterback for Penn State, has had a unique journey since joining the team. He transferred from Iowa State, where he played three games in 2025, completing 4-of-5 passes and rushing for 33 yards.
After transferring, Manske underwent a medical screening at Penn State that revealed a serious heart condition, requiring open-heart surgery. He successfully had the surgery on March 16 at the Mayo Clinic and returned to the field by June, impressing coaches with his performance in practice.
Currently, Manske has played in three games for the Nittany Lions, connecting on nine passes for 102 yards. Should starting quarterback Rocco Becht be benched, Manske is positioned as the next option for the team.
