Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1519242
M A Y 2 0 2 4 2 1 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M When the spring transfer window opened on April 16, Penn State, as expected, lost its top returning wide receiver, super senior KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Through his four seasons with the Nittany Lions, Lambert-Smith totaled 126 catches for 1,721 yards and 11 touchdowns. His true senior season in 2023 was his most productive. He ranked seventh in the Big Ten with 53 catches, totaling 673 yards and 4 scores. However, Lambert-Smith's production fell off significantly toward the end of the season. In Penn State's last four games, he totaled 2 catches for 28 yards. He was held without a catch in the Lions' 27-6 win over Rutgers and their 38-25 loss to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. Lambert-Smith had seemed as though he was poised to have a big role in the Nittany Lions' offense this fall. He announced in January that he was planning to use his bonus season of eligibility, and he reportedly made progress during winter workouts and spring practice. Junior quarterback Drew Allar described him as "very consistent throughout the spring," adding that he was "making guys miss one-on-one and making guys miss in space." "I think the more ways we can get the ball to him on the perimeter and let him showcase those skills, the better it'll be for the offense, because we'll pick up yardage and he'll get his touches and he'll make things hap- pen out of nothing," Allar said. "Again, he's just been very consistent all spring. I think his leadership has stepped up, being more of a vocal lead- by-example type of guy for the younger receivers in that room. I think the receivers room as a whole has done a great job this spring of taking that next step to where we want to be as an offense." Coach James Franklin echoed that assessment, noting in early April that Lambert-Smith seemed to have developed a good rapport with new offen- sive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and second-year receivers coach Marques Hagans. "I think he's had a good spring," Franklin said at the time. "He's shown some real flashes, and I'm seeing them on a more consistent basis. I think [Kotelnicki] has done a really good job with him. They seem to have a re- ally good relationship. I think Marques has done a really good job of devel- oping relationships with the whole room. We need him to have a big year, and I'm seeing more consistency in the special plays and production." With Lambert-Smith's exit, the most obvious move for Penn State would be to look for a transfer acquisition with a similar skill set who can fill the same role lining up primarily in the slot. Senior Julian Fleming has fit in as intended since transferring from Ohio State, and redshirt junior Harrison Wallace III is back to full health after leaving the Peach Bowl with an injury. The staff would undoubtedly like to avoid reshuffling them while they're learning Kotelnicki's system. Allar said Fleming is particularly well-suited to the role that Penn State has created for him as an outside receiver. "I think he brings a certain toughness and mentality to that receivers room in general. He's just going to go out and be consistent and do his job," Allar said. "He'll do whatever the coaches ask him to do, no matter if it's involv- ing him in the passing game or he's blocking on the perimeter. … He brings a toughness to that to that room that I think is good." The least disruptive way of reconfiguring the offense without Lambert- Smith might involve mere elevation. Redshirt sophomore Kaden Saunders and redshirt junior Liam Clifford both created some buzz this spring. Saun- ders had 6 catches for 56 yards last season, while Clifford had 13 for 130. One or both could seize the opportunity this fall. "Kaden has come a long way," senior safety Jaylen Reed said. "I feel like he's going to be that type of guy this year. If you keep putting him in good situations, I feel like he's going to be good." Collectively, Penn State's receivers have been a concern throughout the offseason, a reflection of last year's struggles. Kotelnicki wasn't a part of Penn State's program at the time and didn't watch it unfold. But he's seen their development this spring and is hopeful about what the future will bring. "I think that's a position that's going to surprise some people," Kotelnicki said. "They know people are talking about them, and I think they wear that chip on their shoulder. Everyone's going to point the finger at them and, right or wrong, that's what it is. They're like, 'We'll show you.' They have that chip on their shoulder about it. "They have committed themselves to improving daily. We've challenged them physically and mentally, and they're responding super well. We're making it hard on them, and they're digging into it and improving." — Nate Bauer Transfer Portal Reshapes Nittany Lions' Receiving Corps dealt with relatively few serious injuries — redshirt freshman quarterback Jaxon Smolik is out indefinitely, and junior of- fensive tackle Drew Shelton was limited due to offseason surgery — there were some bumps and bruises that affected how PSU approached the Blue-White Game. Junior running back Kaytron Allen missed the contest, and classmate Nicho- las Singleton sat out as well, although the latter reportedly was healthy enough that he could have played if there had been any reason to put him in the game. Three of the Nittany Lions' likely start- ing offensive linemen — Shelton, redshirt senior JB Nelson and super senior Sal Wormley — all were out of action. An- other lineman with starting potential, redshirt freshman Anthony Donkoh, also missed the game. On the defensive side of the ball, super senior tackle Hakeem Beamon, redshirt senior end Zuriah Fisher, redshirt sopho- more linebacker Keon Wylie and junior safety Kevin Winston Jr. were all out as well. Even with some of its better play- ers temporarily sidelined, the broader picture coming out of the Blue-White Game was plain enough. This is a Penn State team that will need to get healthier this summer, and it also must success- fully navigate the spring transfer win- dow, which will remain open until April 30. ■ KeAndre Lambert-Smith was Penn State's leading pass catcher last season with 53 receptions for 673 yards. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL