Regardless of who takes the first snap under center this season, Penn State’s quarterback will have little or no experience at the college level. For coach Bill O’Brien this means the supporting cast around that new quarterback will be all the more important. Luckily for the Nittany Lions, Penn State’s top two wide receivers will return for the 2013 season and will bring with them a cast of role players looking to make an impact.
Here is a look at Penn State’s wide receiver position heading into the 2013 season.
Allen Robinson (Junior eligibility)
One of the Big Ten’s most explosive receivers, Robinson will look to build on last season’s breakout year. Having pulled down 77 catches — a Penn State single-season record — Robinson has shown the ability to not only make the play, but he has very rarely been slowed down by opposing defenses. One would have to think that another strong season would make a jump to the NFL a year early a possibility. However with a new quarterback under center it isn’t unreasonable to assume the chemistry between Robinson and his new signal caller may take time to develop.
If Robinson can repeat last season’s 1,013 yards receiving, 11 touchdown performance in 2013, Penn State will be well on its way towards another great year. If Robinson repeats that performance and stays for a senior season, he’ll be well within reach of Penn State’s All-Time receiving yards leader Bobby Engram who hauled down 3026 yards — most of those yards coming on passes thrown by Kerry Collins.
Brandon Moseby-Felder (Senior eligibility)
By all rights Moseby-Felder had a great season in 2012. He was simply overshadowed by Robinson’s 77 receptions. Felder pulled down 31 passes for 437 yards and was a nice compliment to Penn State’s most obvious receiving target. At 6-foot-2, 199 pounds Moseby-Felder has done a good job mixing size with speed and has proven to be very capable of making a big grab. As teams figure out ways to exploit Penn State’s new quarterback and lock down on Robinson, players like Moseby-Felder will be key to the Nittany Lions’ success.
Matt Zanellato (Sophomore eligibility)
Some around the program have said Zanellato has had one of the best springs of anyone in the program. The progress showed as Zanellato pulled down four catches for 53 yards at the Blue White game. Zanellato falls behind Moseby-Felder on the depth chart but has the practice experience to step in at any of the wide receiver positions in Penn State’s offense. Penn State has lots of receiving options when tight ends are thrown into the mix, but in terms of a pure third-option receiver, Penn State is still looking for somebody to step into that role. If Zanellato can continue his strong spring into training camp there is no reason he can’t take over that position.
Eugene Lewis (Freshman eligibility)
Much like Akeel Lynch at running back, Eugene Lewis has benefited greatly from a redshirt season to get his body ready for the college game and to work with the offense in a low pressure situation. Slated to relieve Robinson from time to time Lewis should be one to watch this fall. Listed at 6-foot-1, 201 pounds, Lewis is the third heaviest receiver on Penn State’s roster despite the fact he is considered by some to be a deep ball threat. Rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, fans should be interested in seeing what Lewis can do entering his second season with the program and his first on the field.
The rest
Beyond these four players on Penn State’s two-deep roster there is still talent to be found. State College native Alex Kenney has explosive speed and quickness, and legacy players Jonathan Warner and Richy Anderson will both look to contribute. With so many tight ends catching passes, Penn State has benefited from not having to rely only on wide receivers in the passing game. However this season may see more passes thrown to football’s more traditional targets as the Nittany Lions look to have beefed up their depth in the receiving corps.
Previewing Penn State’s Running Back Depth for 2013
