Penn State has landed a big-time receiver out of the transfer portal named Trebor Pena.
Matt Zenitz of 247Sports first reported late Saturday morning that Pena had committed to Penn State and Pena confirmed it soon after on his Instagram account.
This is a big deal.
Itโs no secret to anybody thatโs followed big-time college football over the past two seasons that Penn State has lacked in receiver department.
In a video breaking down Penn Stateโs receivers that former PSU OL Landon Tengwall published to his YouTube Channel, he pointed out a downward trend in receptions by receivers.
- 2021= 200 receptions
- 2022= 160 receptions
- 2023= 127 receptions
- 2024= 102 receptions
If that isnโt telling enough, tight end Tyler Warren (104 receptions) had more catches than any Penn State receiver put together. Even though Warren was the best tight end in the country, thatโs still not good.
Penn Stateโs receivers in 2024 also played 16 games compared to the previous three teams, which all played 13.
Again, not good.
Pena can help change that.
WHAT PENA BRINGS
Courtesy On3 Sports
Hereโs what Pena brings to Penn State.
He earned an all-ACC selection last season with 941 yards and nine touchdowns on 84 catches.
It was a breakout season for Pena, who combined for just 271 yards over his first four college football seasons. Penn State needs help at the receiver position, and although it already has some, many feel that one more contributor wouldnโt hurt.
HEโS NOT THE ONLY ONE
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 30: USC Trojans wide receiver Kyron Hudson (10) reacts after catching a pass for a first down during a college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish played on November 30, 2024 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)
IOWA CITY IA – SEPTEMBER 14: Iowa safety Deshaun (8) tackles Troy wide receiver Devonte Ross (7) out of bounds after a pass reception during a college football game between the Troy Trojans and the Iowa Hawkeyes, on September 14, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/IconSportswire)
Pena isnโt the only receiver reinforcement Penn State is getting for the 2025 season via the transfer portal.
USC transfer Kyron Hudson, a 6-foot-1, 205-pounder, is coming off his best college football season.
He ended the year with 462 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions, playing in a room that also featured Makai Lemon (665 yards, three touchdowns on 46 receptions) and Zachariah Branch (503 yards, one touchdown on 47 catches).
Against Penn State Oct. 12, Hudson caught for passes for 36 yards, one of them being a five-yard TD.
Penn State ended up winning that game in the Coliseum 33-30 in an overtime thriller.
Now, heโll be playing on the other side.
What about Devontae Ross? He ended 2024 with 1,043 yards and 11 touchdowns on 76 receptions. He has one season of eligibility remaining, and Penn State likes that heโs spending that season in Happy Valley. Ross has been getting playing time since his true freshman season of 2022, and has played 39 games during his college career. Itโs hard to tell how Rossโ success would translate to the Big Ten, but he should help.
Pena should help, too.
