Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/775386
A T T H E 2 0 1 7 N I T T A N Y L I O N S quarterbacks McSorley and Stevens, that percentage only rises to 22. It's unlikely that the balance will shift dramatically in 2017. Barkley is going to be a preseason Heisman Trophy contender, and a healthier and more experienced of- fensive line should allow him his best op- portunity yet to show what he can do when he gets into the open field. But Sanders, Robinson and Allen will all still have eligibility remaining in 2018 and could be poised for breakout seasons if Barkley opts to forgo his senior year to enter the NFL Draft. RECEIVER KEY RETURNEES TE: Nick Bowers, Mike Gesicki, Jonathan Holland, Tom Pancoast; WR: Saeed Blacknall, Irvin Charles, DaeSean Hamilton, Juwan Johnson, Brandon Polk, DeAndre Thompkins KEY LOSS WR: Chris Godwin NEWCOMERS TE: Danny Dalton; WR: Dae'lun Darien, K.J. Hamler, Mac Hip- penhammer, Cameron Sullivan-Brown OUTLOOK Godwin was the Nittany Lions' leading pass-catcher the past two seasons with 128 total receptions for 2,083. His early departure for the NFL was not unexpected, especially after his unsurpassable 187-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Rose Bowl, but it does open up a void that will need to be filled during the off-season. The good news for Penn State is that there is no shortage of candidates to step into Godwin's role as the team's primary downfield threat. One of those candidates – Hamilton – has al- ready done it. He was Penn State's leading receiver as a redshirt freshman in 2014, finishing his debut season with 82 catches FINE FAREWELL Godwin had an- other spectacular bowl game, catching nine passes for 187 yards and two TDs against the Trojans. He later declared that he was entering the NFL Draft. Photo by Steve Manuel