Penn State coach James Franklin gave an encouraging injury update on one of the team’s key players.
Franklin said in his first weekly press conference of the season Monday that WR Devonte Ross should be ready to go for Saturday’s opener against Nevada.
Simply put, Ross is one of Penn State’s more important players.
Over the past two seasons, the receivers were the team’s weak spot on either side of the ball. But because the team got Ross from Troy, Kyron Hudson from USC and Trebor Pena from Syracuse in the transfer portal, things are expected to be different in 2025.
WHAT FRANKLIN SAID
Head Coach James Franklin at Penn State Football’s 2025 Photo Day.
“He had some bumps and bruises this summer that we were dealing with that impacted how involved he could be late in the summer and then also early in training camp. But he’s ready to go. We’ll probably rotate him a little bit more just because he hasn’t had the full training camp and hasn’t had the full summer. But he’s ready to go and has looked really good the last week or so. So we’re expecting good things out of him. But I think he and Liam Clifford will both rotate and will both play significant reps.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.WHAT ROSS BRINGS
Devonte Ross hauls in a pass.
Ross’ numbers speak for themselves. He ended last season with 1,043 yards receiving, catching 11 touchdowns and 76 balls total. The biggest question is whether Ross can repeat those numbers in the Big Ten as opposed to the Sun Belt. But there’s evidence that Ross will be just fine at the Power Four level. Against Iowa last season, Ross went for 142 yards and two touchdowns on five catches and returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown.
But Ross might not be ready to explode just yet. As Franklin mentioned, Liam Clifford will also receive some reps. Clifford is the elder statesman of Penn State’s room in that he’s been with the program since 2021.
Regardless of who’s starting for Penn State, the team will beat Nevada.
Penn State is favored by 44.5 points per DraftKings Sportsbook. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on CBS.
