Two Penn State receivers have now entered the transfer portal in this spring window.
Word got out Monday that KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who was the team’s leading receiver in 2023, was going to enter the portal.
The next day, which was the first day the window was officially open, Malick Meiga entered.
“After a great four years, it’s time for a new chapter,” Meiga wrote to X, formerly Twitter. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the amazing fans, teammates, and coaching staff at Penn State University. Your support, camaraderie, and guidance have meant the world to me. I am officially in the transfer portal.”
After a great four years, it's time for a new chapter. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the amazing fans, teammates, and coaching staff at Penn State University. Your support, camaraderie, and guidance have meant the world to me. I am officially in the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/lSZv36gNQW
— Malick Meiga (@malick_meiga) April 16, 2024
Meiga’s story is different from Lambert-Smith’s. Whereas Lambert-Smith was the QB Drew Allar’s No. 1 target last season, Meiga had a reserve role and was known just as much, if not more, for his work on special teams. In three seasons at Penn State, Meiga totaled nine catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown reception— a 67-yarder against Rutgers in 2021– is the shining moment of Meiga’s Penn State career, assuming he’s played his last game at PSU. Ironically enough, the man who threw the pass was Christian Veilleux. Veilleux— who, like Meiga, is Canadian— entered the transfer portal from Penn State after the 2022 regular season and, earlier Tuesday, did the same after a season at Pitt.
It’s hard to say what Meiga’s role would have been on this year’s Penn State squad.
On the one hand, there was little based on his three seasons at PSU to suggest he would have gotten a lot of playing time in Year 4.
On the other, Allar credited Meiga and receiver Malik McClain on a Zoom call with reporters earlier this month for setting the tone for the whole room in the blocking department.
Coach James Franklin and company also thought highly enough of Meiga to name him a team captain for the 2023 season.
Meiga will have two seasons of eligibility left.
