Former Penn State WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith plays for Auburn now.
Whenever a receiver transfers from one school to another, he’s going to compliment his new QB.
That’s what Lambert-Smith did in a recent interview with ”Everything Auburn” on the “BLEV” YouTube channel.
Auburn’s projected starter is veteran Payton Thorne, who used to start at Michigan State and helped Sparty to an 11-2 season in 2021, with one of those wins being over Penn State in the snow at Spartan Stadium.
Smith remembers that game, and he’s said he’s confident in what Thorne can do.
“Just being around Payton, No. 1, Payton came from the Big Ten; he beat me at Penn State already,” Lambert-Smith said. “So, just being around him, hearing how he controls the team at the end of a workout, the leadership, I think that gives the offense a sense of confidence right there.”
So, why should Penn State fans care about what an ex-player said about a QB that Penn State almost certainly won’t play again?
Well, here’s why.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Although Lambert-Smith didn’t mention him by name, it’s likely that most who read these comments will assume Lambert-Smith implied that Thorne has things Allar doesn’t.
“That kind of was lacking where I came from. I know just the difference in how that can make an offense feel. I felt different when I heard him talking. Then, just how he hits me up, ‘Let’s go work out, let’s get these routes, let’s hit the field.’”
Many will also see this next comment as a shot at Penn State’s offense
“I feel like the (Auburn’s) offense is–I think I just told somebody, I think it was DA (running back Damari Alston), I haven’t been a part of an offense where I felt like, we got it. I’m so ready for the season. I’m ready for camp. Even in workouts, there are DBs next to me lifting; I’m like, ‘We’re about to be the best group on the team… Let’s go!’ I like to bring energy. I like to bring juice.”
KLS on the ‘BLEAV’ YouTube channel, his thoughts on Payton Thorne, and how well the offense is clicking in the offseason. Beyond ready for the season 😮💨
War. Damn. Eagle. 🦅🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/jwl4T1WszL
— Tyler Winfrey (@Tylerwinfrey25) July 12, 2024
Lambert-Smith played in four offenses at Penn State, and last season, was the team’s No. 1 receiver, catching a team-high 53 passes for 673 yards and four touchdowns. But Lambert-Smith entered the transfer portal days after the end of spring practice. Now, former OSU Julian Fleming is Penn State’s No. 1.
Allar, Fleming and Penn State will open their 2024 season at West Virginia Saturday, Aug. 31. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
