Blue White Illustrated

page, [because] going into this spring, I knew I would be one of the top receivers. I wanted us to be on the same page so that he has a comfort zone with somebody out there." Lewis also began building a rapport with Josh Gattis, Penn State's new receivers coach. Gattis's predecessor, Stan Hixon, had been a calming presence on the prac- tice :eld. The longtime college and pro assistant was a meticulous teacher of the game but he wasn't much of a yeller. The new sta; is more animated, including Gattis, who during his two seasons at Vanderbilt helped turn Jordan Matthews into a second-round NFL Dra< pick. "Coach Gattis came in and he was de:- nitely someone we had to adjust to, because we weren't used to someone being so en- ergetic and hype," Lewis said. "He's helping a lot. He's very involved. He doesn't want anything but the best for us, and I think he's a great coach. He's coached some good receivers, and I think he's going to do well for us." Little things matter a lot in Gattis's practices. Like knowing exactly how to position your body at the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. Said Lewis, "We really emphasize stances, and how you've got to get your weight forward onto your front foot so you can get out of your stance faster." With the season approaching, Lewis is feeling con:dent and relaxed. He's ac- customed to the spotlight, having played quarterback at Wyoming Valley West High in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He won :rst-team All-State recognition following a senior year in which he rushed for 1,534 yards, passed for 1,012 and accounted for 38 touchdowns. The stage is a lot bigger now, of course. It's also practically bare, with Robinson gone, along with Penn State's second- leading receiver, Brandon Felder. But during the spring, Lewis dismissed any talk of burdensome expectations. Was he feeling any pressure to follow in Robinson's foot- steps, to deliver the catches, yards and touchdowns that his predecessor delivered with such regularity? Not even a little. "I'm happy to be in this position," he said. "It's a higher position than last year. I'm ready and I'm pretty con:dent about going out there and making more plays and helping my team get wins." ■ >> * Starting experience in 2013 ceivers – Apke, Blacknall, Godwin, Thompkins and Hamilton – earned a to- tal of 18 recruiting stars from Ri- vals.com, an average of 3.6 stars per player. Reinforcements are on the way. OUTLOOK There are many ques- tions regarding this position group due to Robinson's departure and the returning players' inexperience. But inside the Lasch Building, there are plenty of other concerns that take precedence. That's mostly because Lewis appears ready to handle an ex- panded role, while Hamilton – who is nearly identical in size to Lewis – is ex- pected to have his coming out party in 2014. And don't forget Zanellato, who has taken on an expanded leadership role as he enters his redshirt junior season. The outstanding incoming receiver class ought to further ease nerves. Each one of Penn State's four true freshmen brings a little something different to the table in terms of technique and athletic ability, and all four could see the field right away, if not on offense then maybe on special teams. – T.O. ROUTE 80 Zanellato's four catches last year make him the Nittany Lions' second- leading returnee in 2014. Bill Anderson

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