Penn State is in the mix for one of the top receivers who plans to enter the transfer portal.
Kevin Concepcion, who played two seasons at NC State and was the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2023, has Penn State as a finalist along with Alabama, Auburn, Colorado and Kansas State, per Pete Nakos of On3Sports.
NC State WR Kevin Concepcion is expected to look at Colorado, Alabama, Auburn, Penn State, and Kansas State once he enters the NCAA Transfer Portal, per @PeteNakos_.https://t.co/UmM6mHLl4g pic.twitter.com/zEzgdaIisi
— On3 (@On3sports) December 3, 2024
In that ACC Freshman of the Year season, Concepcion put up 839 yards and 10 touchdowns on 71 receptions.
No Penn State receiver has put up those type of numbers since Jahan Dotson (1,182 yards, 12 TD on 91 catches) did so in 2021. Since then, Penn State has struggled to make noise at the position.
LIFE AFTER DOTSON
Photo by Penn State Athletics: Jahan Dotson
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Here are what Penn State’s top receivers have done since Dotson played his last game:
- 2022: Parker Washington (46 catches, 611 yards, two TD)
- 2023: KeAndre Lambert-Smith (53 catches, 673 yards, four TD)
- 2024 (so far): Harrison Wallace III (35 catches, 579 yards, three TD).
Penn State’s top pass-catcher this season is Tyler Warren (81 catches, 978 yards, six TD). But because Warren plays tight end, he’s not part of this conversation.
PSU’s receivers have made some strides this season. Three WRs have had games of 100+ yards this year, whereas last season, only Lambert-Smith— who now plays for Auburn— accomplished that feat. But considering Penn State’s second leading receiver, Omari Evans has 338 yards and more than a third of that came against a Kent State team that hasn’t won a game since 2022, it’s probably fair to say there’s work to be done.
SOME REGRESSION FROM CONCEPCION?
People who look at Concepcion’s numbers from 2023 and ‘24 will notice something: 2023 was a lot better. This past season, Concepcion had 18 fewer receptions, 379 fewer yards and four fewer touchdowns. The reasoning for this regression might not be 100% clear but regardless, Concepcion is a talent. Penn State could certainly use help at receiver, and the transfer portal would be a good place to find it.
Penn State has the Big Ten title game against Oregon Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 on Fox.
