Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1472993
4 6 A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M WIDE RECEIVERS PERSONNEL POSITION COACH Taylor Stubblefield: A record-setting pass catcher during his playing days at Purdue — he still holds the Big Ten mark for most career receptions with 325 and was recently named a candidate for the College Football Hall of Fame's 2023 induction class — Stubblefield had led a nomadic professional life before Penn State hired him in 2020. He had worked at nine schools to that point in his coaching career, none for more than two seasons. But he's found a bit of stability at PSU, where he is getting set for his third season in charge of the Nittany Li- ons' wideouts. In bringing some stability to his own career, Stubblefield has helped stabilize a Penn State wideout corps that had been reeling prior to his arrival, with his two immediate predecessors departing after just one year apiece. The Lions started a pair of true freshman receivers during his first season on the job — Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert- Smith — and while Washington has been the more successful of the two to date, both have developed into significant contributors. In addi- tion, Stubblefield helped develop Jahan Dotson into one of the top receivers in the country. Dotson was a third-team All-American in 2021, and he and Washington comprised one of only five receiving duos in the nation with at least 64 catches and 820 yards. RETURNING SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS LIAM CLIFFORD R-Fr. | 6-1 | 200 • Quarterback Sean Clifford's younger brother didn't see action last fall, preserv- ing his freshman eligibility. • Finished his career at St. Xavier (Ohio) High as the school's all-time leader in receptions (166), receiving yards (2,538) and receiving touchdowns (30). JADEN DOTTIN R-So. | 6-2 | 191 • Was the leading receiver in the Blue-White Game this past spring, with 3 catches for 45 yards, including a 19-yard grab. • Saw action in three games last year without a catch. • Had 50 catches for 1,061 yards and 11 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Suf- field (Conn.) Academy. KeANDRE LAMBERT-SMITH So. | 6-1 | 188 • Had 3 catches for 74 yards in the Outback Bowl in January, with his average of 24.7 yards per catch ranking fourth in Penn State's bowl history. • Was a 13-game starter in 2021, finishing with 34 catches for 521 yards and 5 touch- downs and ranking seventh in the Big Ten with an average of 15.3 yards per catch. • Made five starts as a true freshman in 2020 and finished with 15 catches for 138 yards. MALICK MEIGA So. | 6-4 | 203 • Played in Penn State's last seven games in 2021, finishing with 3 catches for 78 yards. • Had a 67-yard touchdown catch against Rutgers, the first score of his collegiate career. • Was named team MVP at Cegep duVieux High in Quebec following a senior season in which he caught 38 passes for 882 yards and 7 touchdowns. HARRISON WALLACE III R-Fr. | 6-1 | 191 • Played in three games without a catch last season, preserving his freshman eligibility for 2022. • Was named team MVP at Pike Road (Ala.) High following the 2019 and '20 seasons. • Caught 27 passes for 696 yards and 7 touchdowns as a senior, while adding 115 yards and a score on 13 carries. PARKER WASHINGTON So. | 5-10 | 212 • Ranks 18th in school history with 100 career receptions and is 22nd with 1,310 receiving yards. • Has caught at least one pass in all 22 games he has played at Penn State. • Started 16 games over the past two sea- PRESEASON ANALYSIS ★★★★★ National Title; ★★★★ Top 10; ★★★ Top 25; ★★ Too Unproven; ★ Major Concern STARTERS ★★★ Even with first-round NFL Draft pick Jahan Dotson gone after leading the Nittany Lions in receiving each of the past two seasons, the starting wideout corps looks as though it could be a team strength. Third-year sophomore Parker Washington was a capable wingman play- ing alongside Dotson the past two years, totaling 100 catches for 1,310 yards and 10 touchdowns. Grad transfer Mitchell Tinsley posted big num- bers at Western Kentucky last year, including a 7-catch, 127-yard outing vs. Michigan State. And third-year sophomore KeAndre Lambert-Smith has started 18 games during the past two sea- sons. That trio has the makings of a solid start- ing contingent. EXPERIENCE ★★ Here's where you start to worry a little bit. Transfer wideout Mitchell Tinsley made his Penn State debut in the Blue-White Game, catching 2 passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL