Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1525333
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 9 OPENING SHOT ALL HANDS ON DECK It's been one of the main talking points among Penn State followers for more than a year, so it was hardly surprising when the first question James Franklin fielded at the Nittany Lions' foot- ball media day on Aug. 3 concerned the progress he's seen from his wide receivers. The pass-catching corps, headlined by juniors Harrison Wallace III (left), Omari Evans and Liam Clifford, and bolstered by senior Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming, has frequently been cited as the team's biggest question mark heading into the 2024 season. That's because Wallace and Fleming have been slowed by injuries in recent years, while Evans, Clifford and redshirt sopho- more Kaden Saunders have had a limited impact. Franklin acknowledged during media day that the questions were not entirely without merit. Evans, Clifford and Saunders have combined for 38 career receptions to date, 15 fewer than Ke- Andre Lambert-Smith amassed last year when he led the team in catches. With Lambert-Smith having transferred to Auburn following spring practice, the Nittany Lions will need some unproven players to step forward. And while the workouts they did over the summer with the team's quarterbacks, junior Drew Allar and redshirt sophomore Beau Pribula, undoubtedly helped get everyone on the same page, the improvements will need to show up on game day if PSU is going to turn skeptics into believers. "There are still some steps that need to be taken there for that entire room," Franklin said. "Obviously, that's been a big question mark for the media and some of the fans. I think the coaching staff and the players have a good amount of confidence in what that room has the ability to do and the amount of work that they have put in with Beau and Drew all summer." Wallace caught 19 passes for 228 yards and 1 touchdown in eight games last year. He and his teammates began preseason drills on July 31, with their opener set for Aug. 31 against West Virginia. Earlier this summer, Franklin talked about the need to surround Allar with the kind of playmak- ers who can help Penn State take full advantage of the former five-star prospect's skills. The Lions have proven talent at running back and tight end. Now it's time for the receivers to take the next step in their development, and Franklin said he believes they're capable of doing exactly that. "We've got a ton of confidence in that room," he said. "Those guys have got a huge chip on their shoulder." — Matt Herb PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS