Caleb Bacon
| Penn State Nittany Lions | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Class | Senior |
| Personal information | |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Lake Mills (Lake Mills, Iowa) |
| College |
|
| Stats at ESPN | |
Caleb Bacon is an American football linebacker for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He previously played for the Iowa State Cyclones.
Early life
Bacon attended Lake Mills High School in Lake Mills, Iowa. He committed to play college football for the Iowa State Cyclones, joining the team as a preferred walk-on.[1]
College career
Iowa State
As a freshman in 2021, Bacon did not appear in any games and was redshirted. In 2022, he made three tackles in 10 games played.[2] During the 2023 season, Bacon totaled 60 tackles with six and a half being for a loss and three sacks.[3] In week one of the 2024 season, he suffered an injury versus North Dakota, which required surgery.[4] As a result of the injury, Bacon missed the entirety of the 2024 season.[5] He returned as a starter in 2025, totaling 68 tackles with nine and a half going for a loss and three sacks.[6]
Penn State
Bacon transferred to play for the Penn State Nittany Lions.[7]
Personal life
Bacon is the older brother of Iowa State defensive back Logan Bacon.[8]
References
- ^ Gray, Rob. "Iowa State linebacker Caleb Bacon's humility has helped him rapidly rise up the depth chart". The Gazette. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Birch, Tommy. "Hardly anyone recruited Caleb Bacon in high school. Now he's a football star at Iowa State". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Gray, Rob. "Former walk-on Caleb Bacon aims to be a headliner in Iowa State's young linebackers room". The Gazette. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Rittenberg, Adam (September 3, 2024). "Iowa St.'s Bacon out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for left leg injury". ESPN. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Gray, Rob. "Iowa State star linebacker Caleb Bacon's long layoff is over". The Gazette. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Martin, Gus. "Caleb Bacon leaving Iowa State football, LB enters transfer portal". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Ralph, Max (January 4, 2026). "Veteran Iowa State defensive standout commits to transfer to Penn State". PennLive.com. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Hertel, Alyssa. "Iowa State football's Caleb Bacon ready for leadership role after Gerry Vaughn's departure". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 9, 2026.