KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Harrison “Trey” Wallace will be Penn State’s top two receivers heading into the Nittany Lions’ season opener against West Virginia on Saturday, according to coach James Franklin.
“I think you’ll see two guys play in more in starter type rolls that tap [out],” Franklin said following practice on Wednesday. “And then you’ll see that other position be more of a rotation. And I also think you’ll see some position flexibility for us to get that third guy on the field we feel like we have the ability to move Dre and Trey around, which is important to get those other guys on the field. It also makes it difficult for our opponents to know that Dre and Trey won’t always be [in the same place on the field] and there’s power in that as well.”
Wednesday’s news is the first real glimpse into the rotational composition of a Penn State receiver room that is looking to replace the production of Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley. Penn State did not release a game-week depth chart leaving much of the receiver rotation a bit up of guesswork and prognosticating. Behind Wallace and Lambert-Smith, Penn State has a whole host of options at the third receiver spot and will likely spend a fairly favorable slate of games over the opening few weeks sorting out a more firm No. 3 receiver.
For their parts, Lambert-Smith has always been a favorite for the No. 1 or No. 2 spot as the most seasoned receiver on Penn State’s offense. As for Wallace, the smooth pass catcher proved plenty capable when called into service last season and would step in during Lambert-Smith’s absence last season due to injury. He finished the year with 19 receptions for 273 yards and one touchdown.
Kent State transfer Dante Cephas, sophomore Omari Evans, redshirt sophomore Kaden Saunders are among the more obvious candidates for the No. 3 spot with Liam Clifford, brother of former quarterback Sean Clifford, a darkhorse candidate for the role as well as Malik McClain and Cristian Driver.
