Penn State coach James Franklin is optimistic about the healthy return of receiver Harrison ‘Trey’ Wallace, a hopeful key cog to the Nittany Lions’ offense in 2024 and beyond.
“I think the whole group, from what I’ve seen, [has] improved,” Franklin told reporters about Penn State’s receivers on Tuesday following practice. “Trey’s always been kind of super athletic. Losing him last year for a period of time like we did, I thought that hurt us. I still would like to see a group of guys really kind of separate themselves from the pack. I think the whole group has improved. But, I’d like to see a couple guys kind of kind of separate themselves and you know, make it clearly obvious to everybody.”
Wallace was supposed to operate as Penn State’s second primary receiver last season alongside KeAndre Lambert-Smith, but injuries saw the then-redshirt sophomore appear in just eight games while recording a catch in five. When healthy Wallace showed flashes of athleticism, speed and a much-needed consistency among a promising but unproven receivers room.
The speedy wideout opened and ended the year on high notes, starting off the 2023 campaign with a seven-catch, 72-yard performance against West Virginia while closing out the season with a four-catch, 67-yard outing against Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. Wallace caught his only touchdown pass of the season in the bowl game, marking just the second of his career through 24 appearances. Over the span of his two seasons at Penn State, Wallace has recorded 38 catches for 501 yards.
But much like last spring, Franklin is hoping to get more consistency out of everyone involved, Wallace included.
“I think we need a little bit more of that [consistency],” Franklin said. “But, Trey has been good. He’s been one of our guys that we viewed as the starter now for a while. And like I already mentioned, losing him last year, that was a significant blow.”
Penn State will likely slot Lambert-Smith and Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming alongside Wallace for a solid core looking to make good on perceived potential.
