Penn State football will have a new look at receiver this season.
Harrison “Trey” Wallace is entering year three and started a few games last year. But he’s been primarily a reserve throughout his college football career.
Dante Cephas is in his first year with the program and has only been on campus for a few month, albeit with four years at Kent State under his belt.
Then, there’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
Lambert-Smith has more experience than most of the Penn State roster. This is his fourth season with the program.
But playing behind Jahan Dotson, Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley, Lambert-Smith had to settle for being Penn State’s third option most of the time.
This season, things are expected to be different.
When Lambert-Smith caught the longest touchdown pass in Rose Bowl history against Utah this January– an 88-yarder– fans began to further envision him becoming Penn State’s go-to option at receiver.
Lambert-Smith himself showed no shortage of confidence after that magical Pasadena night.
“I have been known what I can do, ya’ll just finding out,” Lambert-Smith told reporters after the game.
Although Lambert-Smith isn’t the only talented receiver in the room this season, all signs point to KLS being PSU’s go-to guy.
Penn State’s top defensive back, Kalen King, feels Penn State’s likely No. 1 receiver took a “very good step” in fall camp this year.
“He was our touchdown king,” King told reporters via Zoom Tuesday. “He’s made a lot of big plays for us. I feel like now that he’s going to have more of that, shining role where he can do a lot for the offense. I feel like he’s going to take advantage of that opportunity and make a lot of big plays for us.”
King also told reporters what Lambert-Smith’s nickname is.
“Big Play Dre,” he said. “It didn’t just come out of nowhere for no reason. He’s going to make a lot of big plays for us, and I’m really excited about him.
