Drew Allar attempted 23 passes in the Orange Bowl. Just five of them went to wide receivers, and not a single one of those were caught.<\/p>\n
Although Penn State\u2019s receiver room took some small strides in 2024, it still failed on the biggest stage, and the Nittany Lions\u2019 top-two wide receivers entered the transfer portal for the second straight season.<\/p>\n
Penn State didn\u2019t take the situation lightly this time around and severely retooled Marques Hagans\u2019 room via the transfer portal. James Franklin and Co. brought in Devonte Ross and Kyron Hudson in the winter before topping off the additions with Trebor Pena in the spring.<\/p>\n
All three project as starters for the Nittany Lions, and both Hudson and Ross are confident they can make an impact for a Penn State program that has been searching for a true WR1 since Parker Washington.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m one of the best players in the country, one of the best receivers in the country,\u201d Ross said.<\/p>\n
Outside of the three transfers, Liam Clifford looks to be one of the only homegrown receivers who will see ample playing time this season. Tyseer Denmark, Kaden Saunders and Peter Gonzalez should be in the mix as well, but it\u2019s clear the ceiling of the wide receiver room relies on the transfers\u2019 success.<\/p>\n
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Wide receiver Devonte Ross (5) stands with his helmet on his head during Penn State football practice outside Holuba Hall on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in University Park, Pa.<\/p>\n
Lexie Linderman<\/p>\n
Ross arguably has the highest expectations of the three. The Troy transfer had 1,041 yards in 2024, but his performance against Iowa is what really creates the buzz \u2014 Ross had 142 receiving yards and three total touchdowns against the Hawkeyes.<\/p>\n
His speed makes him a serious deep threat and in turn gives him \u2014 and the wide receiver room \u2014 a high ceiling. Ross has the potential to be Penn State\u2019s first 1,000-yard receiver since Jahan Dotson had 1,182 in 2021. If he can achieve that in the Nittany Lions\u2019 run-first offense is questionable, but certainly not out of the picture.<\/p>\n
The potential for Hudson is a bit more unclear. He had just 462 yards and three touchdowns last season with USC, but was a very reliable target with zero drops. Additionally, Hudson was splitting targets with Zachariah Branch and Ja\u2019Kobi Lane.<\/p>\n
However, it seems as though the former Trojan is impressing at Penn State. Franklin said Hudson has a \u201ctremendous work ethic\u201d before the start of spring ball, and Allar has had nothing but praise for him as well.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unlikely Hudson reaches 1,000 receiving yards while sharing catches with Ross and Pena, but the California native should tally at least 500 after nearly hitting that mark in 2024.<\/p>\n
Pena\u2019s ceiling, and how it affects the room\u2019s ceiling, appears a little more complicated. He\u2019s coming from a Syracuse offense that threw the ball more times than any other program in the country, and he had 941 yards in that position.<\/p>\n
The Nittany Lions are not going to throw the ball nearly as much with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen at their disposal, which could cause a dip in Pena\u2019s numbers. But the former Orange receiver has proven his ability to reach over 900 yards, leaving the very top of his ceiling at or around that number.<\/p>\n
Clifford should also have 200 or 300 yards of his own once again, while the rest of the room will likely combine for just over 100.<\/p>\n
If each receiver in the room hits their ceiling, Penn State\u2019s wide receiving corps has the potential to reach 2,500 yards as a unit, which would be a serious step up from 2024 where the room had 1,640 yards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe receivers have taken a huge step forward for us this spring. I think you know that room has taken a lot of improvements,\u201d Allar said after the Blue-White Game. \u201cYou saw it today, we have a lot of exciting youth in that room. So that room has really taken a step forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE<\/p>\n