Caleb Bacon did not receive any scholarship offers during his high school recruitment and opted to join Iowa State as a walk-on during the 2021 season. His breakout season did not come until 2023, where he made 60 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. In 2024, he suffered a left leg injury during the season opener against North Dakota and missed the entire season. Bacon rebounded with 68 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble in 2025.
Bacon decided to follow Matt Campbell to Penn State for his final season of eligibility. He is a near lock to start on D’Anton Lynn’s defense. He is listed as a linebacker, but he can be used as an edge rusher as well. Bacon adds important depth to the linebacker group that was missing last season after Tony Rojas went down with an injury. He will wear the number 10 this year.
Only 10 more days until Penn State’s season opener against Marshall!
